By Karina Fabian

Just as most priests will continue to obey the call to serve even after retirement, so, too, do deacons. Even though he’s a “relaxed” 86 and legally blind, Deacon Robert Bremner Sr. remains on the rolls as serving Little Flower Parish in Browning.

Deacon Bremner had always been a busy man. He and his wife, Rita, raised 12 children (nine girls and three boys) and a grandson. He worked for the highway department for 37 and a half years, rising to the rank of supervisor in charge of the Shelby area. He was in charge of six towns and all the highways in that division. He enjoyed the work and is understandably proud of how his children have turned out. “When I raised my children, I taught them to work, and they take very good care of us,” he said.

Nonetheless, he believes that he worked much harder after his retirement. With his newfound “free” time, he set to work on many home-improvement projects that had been pushed aside because of his career.

That’s also when he became a deacon serving Little Flower Parish, the church at Starr School, the parish in East Glacier and St. Mary Mission in Babb. He naturally served at Masses, did communion services, marriages and “a funeral or two.”

He believes the diocese has always used deacons efficiently. In addition to his deacon duties, however, he also began volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul store. He worked there with his wife for 25 years.

“I really enjoy working with people. It’s got me acquainted almost throughout the state through the diaconate and people I’ve met. It’s a very wonderful situation to be in.”

About a decade ago, macular degeneration began gradually robbing him of his eyesight. He’s since lost the ability to drive and to read – though he can write as long as he doesn’t need to read his writing, he said. He continued to serve Masses until his failing eyesight made it hard for him to navigate the stairs.

Deacon Bremner is now in his “second retirement,” enjoying his beautiful home which remains full of visiting kids who come to share a meal and care for their parents. Overall, though, he says his “work” is to hang around the house and do nothing. “I’m pretty relaxed and have been getting even more relaxed now that I’m 86,” he said.

Nonetheless, he wants people to know he’s still available to them if he can help. “It’s been a good life, just being of service.”


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 23, No. 10, October 19, 2007.