Brian E. Sarsfield, 69, died of cancer at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge on Monday, July 7, 2003. He was a resident of Triangle.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 26, 1933, the son of the late Florence and Emmett Sarsfield. In 1939, he moved with his family to Virginia and graduated from St. Paul's Academy in Washington. In 1960, he received a B.A. in philosophy from Mount St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Md., and a B.A. in theology from Catholic University of America in Washington. His graduate work included Catholic University, George Mason University and University of Virginia. In 1994, he received his M.A. in religious studies (spirituality) and an advanced apostolic catechetical diploma from Notre Dame Institute in Washington.
Mr. Sarsfield served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956. He taught at Ascension Academy in Alexandria from 1961 to 1965, and at Edison High School in Fairfax County from 1966 to 1989. Following retirement in 1989, Mr. Sarsfield taught part-time at Saunders Middle School from 1990 to 2003. He was director of religious education at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church from 1989 to 1990, and a prayer group leader and teacher in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for many years.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Janet Sarsfield of Triangle. His first marriage to Lola Koller ended in divorce. Surviving children from his first marriage include Mary Rose Whetzel-Olin of Woodbridge, Bridget O'Brien of Spotsylvania, Clare Dowgiallo of Melbourne, Fla., and Patrick Sarsfield of Fairfax. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Nicholas Bigwood, Rachel Knapp, Holly, April, Edward, Elizabeth and Matthew O'Brien, and Zachary and Danielle Dowgiallo. He is also survived by his brother, the Rev. Emmett W. Sarsfield of Zillah, Wash.; his sister, Claudette P. Sarsfield of Bluffton, S.C.; and many devoted friends.
Vistation hours will be held at Mountcastle Funeral Home, Dale City, today from 2 to 4 p.m., with a rosary at 3:30 p.m., and from 6 to 9 p.m. with a vigil service at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Father Gene Pistacchio at 11 a.m. Friday, July 11, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 18825 Fuller Heights Road, Triangle, with a reception to follow at the parish center. Interment will be in Quantico National Cemetery at 1 p.m.
