Wellsville
councilman lived his life helping others
By Liz Lawyer
April 21, 2006 | WELLSVILLE -- The funeral of Wellsville
City Councilman Kent Brenchley Wednesday drew a congregation
of about 400, all friends and family who gathered to
honor him as a man who was always giving to others.
Brenchley, 69, was killed Friday when a shed he was
working in collapsed. The shed was owned by Wellsville
City and Brenchley was demolishing it.
Brenchley's five children, Wellsville Mayor Ruth Maughan
and the bishop of Brenchley's ward each spoke to the
congregation, sharing stories about his life and expressing
their grief over his untimely passing. They described
him as a hard worker who was always looking for someone
to help.
"He was always up at four in the morning," said Brenchley's
son Kevin, a Wellsville resident. "It was a comfort
to see the light in his office as I went to my own job
in the mornings.
Kevin Brenchley read to the congregation a personal
mission statement his father had written and hung on
his wall. Among his goals were to be a patriarch for
his children and grandchildren and to make a personal
friend of each, to give service "when prompted by my
conscience," to help others in secret, to honor the
ordinances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, of which Brenchley was a member, and to support
the freedoms and values of his community.
"He lived up to every one of those things," Kevin
Brenchley said. "He was ready to go."
Robert Brenchley, another son, said one of the biggest
things he learned from his father was patience. When
his father suffered from prostate cancer, Robert was
amazed at how patient he was despite the pain. He said
one of his best memories of his father was learning
about the LDS Church from him.
Laurie Christensen, Brenchley's daughter, told about
Brenchley's love for his grandchildren. She held up
several articles of clothing and asked the congregation
to imagine her dad wearing them. She said this was what
he wore in a parade with his grandchildren around the
backyard. He also played the part of Santa Claus each
year, she said.
Brenchley served on the City Council since 2000. He
also served as mayor during the years 1982-1985. He
was a member of the council for several years prior
taking the office of mayor and served on the city Planning
and Zoning Commission.
"Kent was always in [the city office] doing things,"
said town recorder Don Hartle. "He always took the time
to do for others."
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