We announce the sad news of the death, Monday 25th April, of Fr Antony Thomas Brunning who died peacefully at Nazareth House in Hammersmith.
Fr Tony was born in London on 5th May 1940 and ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Westminster on 23rd May 1964.
Condolences are extended to Fr Tony's family, friends, colleagues and parishioners of the parishes where he served, and to the Sisters, staff and residents at Nazareth House.
The Funeral Mass will take place on Monday 23rd May at 12.15pm at Holy Trinity church, Brook Green. Bishop Paul McAleenan will preside and the homily will be given by Fr Tony Pellegrini. Burial will be at Mortlake Cemetery at 2pm.
Fr Tony was a member of the Deceased Clergy Association.
We pray for the repose of his soul:
Grant, we pray, O Lord,
that the soul of Fr Antony, your servant and Priest,
whom you honoured with sacred office
while he lived in this world,
may exult for ever in the glorious home of heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
May his, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Obituary
It is sometimes said, ‘You die how you live’. Fr Tony Brunning had a smile on his face throughout the period he was receiving end of life care at Nazareth House in Hammersmith. Before that, and over the years, he always had a benign smile that radiated joy and peace – his inner self portrayed by his physiognomy. Yet there was also a characteristic nervousness that he brought with him from his childhood. He laughed at himself and at events when anxious in ways that did not cause anxiety in others but which seemed to disarm and put people at ease. He also had the child-like qualities of openness, interest and awe when encountering other people and various situations. Essentially shy and humble, Fr Tony was a compassionate man and priest who was accepting of other people in their variety and their needs. He was a channel of God’s love and mercy, an effective minister of the Church who loved others unconditionally.
Born in Mile End Hospital on 5th May 1940 to Thomas Charles and Lena Marie Agnes (formerly Payne) Brunning, Thomas Antony Brunning was baptised in the church of the Holy Ghost and St Stephen, Shepherds Bush within a month of his birth. When he was just three months old his father was killed in a bombing raid on the RAF station at Biggin Hill where he was based. The young Antony or Tony, as he was known, was educated initially at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Hammersmith and then at St Benedict’s school, Ealing attached to Ealing Abbey and its community of Benedictine monks. On 30th March 1952 he was Confirmed in St Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing and took the name Joseph. From an early age he felt the call to priesthood. As a boy he was devout, serious and hardworking. He regularly served weekday and Sunday Mass in Shepherds Bush. His mother and one sister, Josephine, were also practising Catholics. He was accepted as a student for the priesthood and at the age of eighteen he went to Allen Hall, St Edmund’s College, Ware in Hertfordshire. Seminary reports describe Tony as being conscientious and dedicated to the life and work of the seminary, while also being rather nervous and young in his manner. He excelled in Latin throughout his time at the seminary, 1958-64. Tony was ordained to the priesthood in Westminster Cathedral by Archbishop (later Cardinal) John Heenan on 23rd May 1964.
Fr Tony Brunning’s first appointment was to the parish of All Saints, Kenton where he served as Assistant Priest from 1964-72. His letter of appointment, dated 30th June 1964 and sent to him by the Vicar General, required him to take up his appointment within a week of its receipt! During these years he was Chaplain to St Gregory’s Secondary School in Kenton. His next appointment was to St Anselm’s, Southall where he served as Assistant Priest from 1972-78 when he was appointed Parish Administrator of St Anselm’s. While at Southall Fr Tony ministered as part time Chaplain at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, from 1977-87. Fr Tony worked well with lay people, religious sisters and other clergy as a good team leader who enabled the gifts of others in the service of the parish. His next appointment was to the parish of St Gabriel’s, South Harrow and St Bernard’s, Northolt where he served as Parish Priest, based in Northolt, from 1987-97. In 1992 he set about redeveloping the church at South Harrow, supported by the Diocese after an analysis of the needs and the way forward. Fr Tony appealed to the parishioners for financial support, praising them for generously reducing the parish debt from £160,000 to £15,000 in just six years. People responded to his simplicity of life and dedication to his parishioners’ pastoral, sacramental and spiritual needs and shared his vision for St Gabriel’s.
In 1997 Fr Tony took up his appointment as full time Hospital Chaplain at St Mary’s, Paddington. He lived in the presbytery at Harrow Road until 2003 when he moved to live in the Marylebone presbytery. He remained in this appointment until 2008 when, at the age of 68, he was appointed to Westminster Cathedral to join the team of Chaplains. In 2014 Fr Tony retired, leaving the Cathedral Clergy House to live independently at the St Joseph’s Almshouses, operated by the St Joseph’s Society, in Brook Green, west London soon after celebrating the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. In June 2020 it was necessary for him to move to Nazareth House in Finchley as health issues needed attention, a few months after the death of his beloved sister, Josephine. Following discharge from the Whittington Hospital in November 2021 Fr Tony went to Nazareth House in Hammersmith for nursing care. He was always appreciative of the care and support given by the Sisters and staff, and by the Diocese.
Fr Tony was a keen supporter of Brentford Football Club and he took delight when they were promoted to the Premier League last season. He also took delight in family gatherings and celebrations over the years – he was very much the ‘family chaplain’. He enjoyed board games, walking holidays and real ale.
Fr Tony died peacefully on 25th April, slipping away gently and knowing he would be going to the Lord who called him to priestly ministry in his childhood and who sustained him over 57 years of priestly life and ministry. His funeral date is the anniversary of his ordination when his mortal remains rest before the altar and he is supported by the loving prayers of so many, just as he was when he was ordained. ‘Death does not sever the bond of love’, as Fr Tony said in the homily at his Golden Jubilee Mass in May 2014.
May the gentle soul of Fr Tony rest in peace and rise in glory.
