Reverend John Lawrence Brophy

Fr John L Brophy died on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born in Milwaukee in May 1938 to Jack and Mary Brophy, John was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and his sisters’ spouses Eileen and Leonard Loftus, Luanne and Jerry Schipper, and Marie and Ken Retzer. Fr. John is survived by his nephew Greg (Amy), Nieces Paula (Tim), Leighann (Eric), Annmarie, and Marilu. He is also survived by grand nieces and nephews.

John attended St. Thomas Aquinas grade school, Marquette University High School, Marquette University (undergrad History), and the University of Wisconsin (Master of Education/History and Master of Sociology). John served as a Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers in Heidelberg West Germany until 1964.

Fr. John began his priestly formation at St. Francis Seminary in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1969, by the Most Reverend William E. Cousins at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee.

Throughout his priesthood, Fr. John served in numerous parishes and dioceses. His early ministry included assignments as Associate Pastor at St. Robert Parish in Shorewood, St. Eugene Parish in Fox Point, St. Catherine Parish and St. Gregory the Great Parish in Milwaukee, where he also served as Pastor. He later served in the Archdiocese of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Upon return to Wisconsin, he served as the Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Kewaskum, Administrator of St. Philip Neri Parish in Milwaukee, and Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Waukesha. He subsequently returned to pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Regina and immediately following Fr. John served in the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Father John retired from active ministry on October 11, 2011.

Fr John enjoyed running, having run in many marathons including 4 Boston Marathons, competing in his last marathon at age 80. He also enjoyed hiking and as a lifelong learner was an avid reader.

A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Gesu Parish, 1145 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee. Visitation will take place at Gesu Parish from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Private interment at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Cemetery, East Troy WI.