Deacon Robert Bracken Dies May 26
June 7, 2018
ROCKFORD—Deacon Robert “Bob” A. Bracken, 89, of Rockford, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2018.
Born June 27, 1928, in Akron, Ohio, he was the son of Harold B. and Mary A. (Jamison) Bracken. He married Lois R. Schultz May 22, 1949, in Kewanee.
Deacon Bracken was a member of Holy Family Parish, and was ordained as a permanent deacon in 1975 at the Cathedral of St. Peter by Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill. He was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Counsil 734 in Kewanee.
He graduated from the University of Illinois with a master’s degree in social work at the age of 60 and went into private practice.
He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and fisherman who enjoyed spending time with his family. He served his community as a night chaplain at Swedish-American Hospital.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Lois; children, Nancy Baxter, Marc Bracken, Michael (Jill) Bracken, Janet Bracken and Amy (Phil) Justice; grandchildren, Jaime (Jay) Scoby, Kimberly Baxter, Danielle and Matthew Bracken, Ben Bracken, Justine and Nathan McClelland, Adam, Kaysie and Sarah Justice; one great-grandchild, Alexis Scoby.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Keith, Jack and Bernard Bracken.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday, May 31, 2018, at Holy Family Parish in Rockford. Visitation preceeded Mass at the church. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Winnebago.