Frank Xavier Brett

Former U.S. Army Chaplain, Catholic Priest and teacher Francis X. Brett, Ph. D. passed away Monday, December 18, 2017, at the age of 86 at the Alexian Village Retirement Center following a battle with cancer. The second son of Francis and Margaret Brett of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is survived by three sisters and one brother, Rosemary Brett Rouse of Collingdale, Pennsylvania, Anastasia Brett Lawlor of Glenolden, Pennsylvania, Catherine Coleman Branda of Bensalem, Pennsylvania and John Coleman of Secane, Pennsylvania; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he was educated in the Catholic School system. He graduated from Saint Bernard’s College in Cullman, Alabama. Bishop Adrian in Nashville, Tennessee ordained Father Brett a priest on May 23, 1959. Father Brett taught high school at Knoxville Catholic High and held various pastoral assignments including serving Sacred Heart Cathedral, Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa, Tennessee and Saint Joseph’s Parrish in Norris, Tennessee.

Chaplain Brett joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and volunteered to serve his country as a military chaplain in Vietnam. In 1970, Chaplain Brett received the Bronze Star for valor in combat. In addition to the Bronze Star, Chaplain Brett also received The Legion of Merit, The Army Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, The National Defense Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal for his service to our country.

In 1998, Chaplain Brett retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He continued to serve the people of God in the Diocese of Knoxville and moved to Melbourne, Florida after he retired as an active priest of the Knoxville Diocese. In Melbourne, Florida, he assisted at his parish and at the local military base.

The Funeral Mass for Father Brett was celebrated this Thursday, December 21, 2017m, at 10:00 A.M. at the St. Augustine Chapel located at the Alexian Village located at 437 Alexian Way Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Bishop Stika, Bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville will be the main celebrant of the Mass. A military burial will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. At that time, Chaplain Francis X. Brett will be interned on Chaplain’s Hill with his Brother, Chaplain Robert Raymond Brett, USN, who was killed in action at the Battle of Khe Sanh on February 22, 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as the Battalion Chaplain for the 2nd Battalion 26th Marines.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that friends and colleagues donate to the Father Frank Brett Scholarship Fund, C/O the Diocese of Knoxville, 805 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37763.