Fr. William Brelsford, Visitation pastor, dies

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Aug. 22, 10 a.m. at Visitation Church, Westchester, for Father William J. Brelsford, pastor, who died Aug. 12. He was 68. Ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1970 from St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Father Brelsford served 23 of his 43 years of priestly in education, either as a principal or faculty member at the following high schools: Bishop Amat, La Puente; Bishop Alemany, Mission Hills; St. Monica, Santa Monica (principal, 1980-88); and St. Bernard, Playa del Rey. While in education ministry, Father Brelsford also served as associate pastor at St. John Chrysostom, Inglewood (1970-73); St. Christopher, West Covina (1973-76); and St. Clement, Santa Monica (1988-91); and in residence at several parishes, including Our Lady of Grace, Encino; St. Didacus, Sylmar; and St. Monica, Santa Monica.In 1996 he was named pastor of St. Timothy, West L.A., serving until 2009 when he was named pastor of Visitation.Born Jan. 10, 1945 in Dayton, Ohio, he moved with his family to California and graduated from St. John the Baptist School, Baldwin Park, in 1958 and from Bishop Amat High School in 1962. During his school years he spent nine summers working as a counselor at St. Vincent de Paul Ranch Camp and Camp Junípero Serra.A Vigil Service will celebrated Aug. 21, 7 p.m. at Visitation. Condolences may be sent to the Family of Father William Brelsford, c/o Visitation Church, 6561 W. 88th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045-3772.