Roger William Bresnahan, 84, of Hot Springs Village, AR passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Jan. 2, 2016 in Denton, TX surrounded by his family.
Roger was born July 7, 1931 to Verne and Susanne Bresnahan in Fargo, ND. He grew up in Casselton, ND and was a survivor of polio at age 13. In 1953, he graduated from St. John's University in MN with a BA degree in Music Education. He directed high school bands in ND for several years. Roger attended Northwestern University graduate school where he met the love of his life, Marcia Koester. Roger and Marcia were married December 31, 1956. Roger received his Masters degree in Music Education in 1957.
Roger and Marcia lived in Minnetonka, MN for seven years. During that time, Roger became interested in developing a marketing project to promote economic development among the Tarascan native artisans in central Mexico. Roger, Marcia and their 6 small children moved to Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico in 1966. Roger created a Mexican village artisan project (Exportadores de Michoacan, SA de CV) which became an international exporting company and provided work and income for hundreds of artisan families in rural communities. The Bresnahans lived in Mexico for nine years and returned to the U.S. in 1975 with their eight children to live in Denton, TX. Roger continued to direct the export/import company Bresnahan International for another 21 years shipping products from Mexico to Europe, Canada and the U.S.
In Denton, Roger was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Rotary International and the Polio Plus Program. He participated in many service projects in the community to help the poor and homeless.
In 1996, Roger and Marcia retired and moved to Hot Springs Village, AR. Roger participated actively in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. He led prayer groups and Bible study groups. He was instrumental in organizing the Perpetual Adoration program at his church.
Roger enjoyed golf and was very proud of his two holes-in-one. He was active in the Village Symphony Guild, Community concerts and Village Players. Roger composed several humorous songs about life in the Village and arranged them in four-part harmony for Marcia's Sweet Adeline's quartet. His best known songs are "Welcome to the Village" and "Four Lovely Village Ladies" which were performed for many years at monthly welcome meetings for newcomers.
Roger is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marcia Ann (Koester) Bresnahan and their eight children: Kathleen A. Bresnahan-Lopez and husband Alberto Lopez, Michael W. Bresnahan, John P. Bresnahan and wife Melissa (Trevino), Mary (Bresnahan) Durbin and husband Kelly Durbin, Thomas M. Bresnahan and wife Jacque (Vogel), James R. Bresnahan and wife Isabel (Mata), Steven A. Bresnahan and wife Paige (Garner), and Anne M. Bresnahan; fourteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother Robert Bresnahan and wife Bev, and sisters Colleen Rios and husband Irv, Pat Akins, Mary Saunders and husband George.
Roger's faith, love, inner strength and peaceful spirit will live on forever in the hearts of his family and friends. The family wishes to thank Roger's caregivers and friends in Hot Springs Village and in Denton for their care and support during his illness.
A vigil service will be held in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors on Sunday January 10, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 11, 2016.
Committal services will be held in Hot Springs Village at a later date.
In memory of Roger, donations may be made to the Monsignor King Outreach Center, P.O. Box 718, Denton, TX 76206 and to Samaritan Ministries of Hot Springs at www.samaritanhs.org.