Fr. Donald Joseph Bramble, OP
Feb 4, 1950 -
Sep 23, 2024
Fr. Donald (Philip Neri) Bramble, OP, a Dominican friar of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, died on Sept. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles, Calif., from complications of Parkinson's disease, from which he suffered for 18 years.
Fr. Donald was born on Feb. 4, 1950, in Quebec, Canada, and placed in an orphanage. His adoption by Francis Glenn Bramble and Marian Frances Grimes was finalized on March 23, 1954, and the family soon moved to Los Angeles. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1961. Fr. Donald graduated from Transfiguration Elementary School in 1964 and, in 1968, graduated from Daniel Murphy High School in Los Angeles, where he became acquainted with the Dominic Order. After studying at California State College 1968-1970, Fr. Donald entered the Dominican Order in October 1970. He earned a B.A. in philosophy and a Master of Divinity, in 1973, from the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology. Fr. Donald was ordained on June 4, 1976, by Most Rev. Floyd Begin in Oakland, Calif. He then completed his M.A. in moral theology in 1978.
Fr. Bramble showed great zeal for study, completing a master's degree in social work, and was hoping to study for a Ph.D. However, he was needed to assist in parish ministry, so Donald obediently followed the wish of the province leadership and humbly put his own desires aside to meet the needs of the province and local church.
Fr. Bramble then began many years of campus ministry at All Saints Catholic Newman Center in Tempe, Ariz., St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and St. Thomas More Newman Center in Tucson, Ariz. He also served in parochial ministry at Holy Rosary Church in Antioch, Calif., but was most proud of his ministry at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage, Alaska. He served there in 1978, and then returned in 2002 as Rector and later became Vicar General of the archdiocese. He was instrumental in planning the historic visit of St. Pope John Paul II to Anchorage which included a Mass in the Cathedral and an outdoor Papal Mass which was the largest single gathering ever of people in the state.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and twin sisters, Sr. Joanna Bramble and Jeanne Pieper. He is survived by his nieces, Joanna Vose and Cathy McCutcheon; and nephews, Jeff Pieper and Chris Pieper.
A vigil with rosary was held at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 2002 Merton Avenue in Los Angeles, on Sept. 30, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. A funeral Mass was held at St. Dominic Church, 475 East I Street in Benicia, Calif., on Oct. 2, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Bramble is buried with his Dominican brothers at St. Dominic's cemetery in Benicia. A memorial fund has been established to honor Fr. Donald. Gifts will support the education of Fr. Donald's Dominican brothers still in formation. Please donate online at https://opwest.org/frdonaldbramble.
