In Memory… Brandoch “Brandy” L. Lovely (1928 – 2010)
It is with a sense of loss that the Ministries and Faith Development staff group informs you of the death of the
Reverend Dr. Brandoch L. Lovely. He died of cancer on September 29, 2010, at home with his family by his side. Dr. Lovely was 82 years
old.
He was born on June 16, 1928 in Rhode Island to Doris Lewis and Napoleon William Lovely, a Unitarian minister. After
graduating from Proctor Academy in Andover, NH, in 1946, he enlisted in the Army and served two years in the Transportation Corp. He graduated from Harvard in 1952 with a major in American History and Literature and attended Harvard Divinity School, graduating in 1954. While at Harvard, he worked as Religious Education director for the Winchester Unitarian Church and the West Newton Unitarian Church, both in Massachusetts.
After graduation, he briefly served the First Religious Society of Carlisle, MA, where he was ordained in 1954. He then served the Unitarian Church of Reading, MA; the First Unitarian Church of Austin, TX; the First Parish Old Ship Church in Hingham, MA; and the UU Neighborhood Church in Pasadena, CA.
In Austin, under Dr. Lovely’s leadership, the congregation built their first church building. After serving the Neighborhood Church from 1969 to 1993 the congregation named him Minister Emeritus. The following year, he was awarded Doctor of Theological Studies from Starr King Theological School.
Dr. Lovely also served several churches as interim minister including the Orange Coast UU Church, Costa Mesa, CA; Emerson Unitarian Church, Canoga Park, CA; the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, CA; and the UU Church, Riverside, CA.
Active in denominational affairs throughout his ministry, in 1974 Dr. Lovely chaired a continental convocation of UU ministers, the first such gathering to be held in over twenty years. He served as UUMA president, 1982-1985, and on the UUA Nominating Committee, 1992-1995. He also served for eight years as the ministerial settlement director for the Pacific Southwest District. In 1979, Dr. Lovely delivered the Service of the Living Tradition sermon, “The Intentional Community.” He was active in the ACLU and in 1965 he was elected president of the newly-founded Central Texas affiliate. He is the author of A Machiavellian View of the Ministry: A Guide for Professional Leaders of Voluntary Organizations.
Dr. Lovely is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judith Howerton Lovely; their children, Marcus Lovely and Amanda Wheeler, both of San Diego, Ann Kenney Magno, (her husband Phillip is deceased) of Pasadena, John H. Kenney (Yanett) of Orinda, CA, Clifford W. Kenney (Amy) of South Pasadena, CA, and Channing Lovely of Denver, CO. His daughter, Deborah Lovely, predeceased him. He is also survived by his brother, UU Minister Rev. Dr. Rupert L. Lovely (Patricia) of Milwaukee; his sister, Alicia Lovely (Carol) of New York City; and thirteen grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, October 9, at 4:00 p.m. at Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103. The Reverend Jim Nelson will officiate.
Notes of condolence may be sent to: Judith Lovely, 621 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106-3813.