Obituary of Reverend Arthur F. Brunner

The Very Reverend Arthur F. Brunner, retired clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, age 90, died on Saturday, January 28. Married for 70 years to his wife Joan (nee Lafferty). Father to Gail Brunner (Dave), Glenn Brunner (Marguerite), Lisa Brunner-Bireley (Scott), Karl Brunner (deceased), Kurt Brunner (Carol), Micah Brunner (MaryBeth). Grandfather to Lauren Ranieri (Vic), Christine McEntee (Joe), Alexis Beckman (Chuck), Claudia Murphy (deceased), Eric Brunner (Allie), Kyle Brunner (Glenn, Gavin), Emily Kavanagh (Brian), and Allie Brunner. Great grandfather to Mia, Hunter, Logan, and Paige. Brother of Stephen and Alan (deceased) Brunner.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Rev. Brunner graduated from The Moses Brown Prep School and attended Brown University before entering the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After completing his Army service, he worked at Midvale Steel Company while attending Temple University from which he graduated in 1958. Heeding a call that had always been in the back of his mind, he graduated from Philadelphia Divinity School in 1960. The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania (DIOPA) then called him to serve as Rector of St. Stephen’s, Wissahickon and St. David’s, Manayunk in Philadelphia before he accepted a call to Calvary Church, Rockdale in Delaware County where he served (with a particular passion—in conjunction with Delaware County Human Services—for feeding those in need) for 27 years before his retirement in 1997. In addition to serving as Rector, he was also a two-time Dean of the Brandywine Deanery of the DIOPA. Following retirement to Cape May, New Jersey, he assisted at St. Simeon's By The Sea, Wildwood, for several years.

Rev. Brunner served on numerous non-profit boards, including Episcopal Community Services (ECS), North Light Boys Club, and Contact Philadelphia. Additionally, he was a past member of other service organizations, including the Kiwanis and Rotary International, where he was a past president of the Glen Riddle Club. Of his many achievements, he was proud to have received the Philadelphia Human Rights Award, given by the City of Philadelphia.

An avid boater, Rev. Brunner spent much of his life sailing and power boating on the Chesapeake Bay at Harbor North Yacht Club and Great Oak Yacht Club where he was well known for his mischievous humor. In addition to the bay, he captained charters with friends and family in the waters of Maine and the Caribbean. Later in life, he, along with wife Joan, enjoyed spending winters in the Florida Keys in the company of friends old and new.

Visitation: Friday, February 3rd after 10:00AM at Resurrection Episcopal Church, Rockdale, Aston, PA.

Funeral Service: Friday, February 3rd at 11:00AM at the Church.

Interment: Resurrection Episcopal Churchyard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Resurrection Episcopal Church or Episcopal Community Services, Philadelphia.