Joseph C. Brannigan Jr.

Joseph C. Brannigan, Jr., 83
PORTLAND - Joseph C. Brannigan, Jr. of Portland, died at his home on Jan. 17, 2015. He was born in Brunswick and raised in Topsham, to Joseph and Fern (Pearl) Brannigan on July 16, 1931.
Joe attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Washington, D.C. after serving in the US Navy during the Korean War. His decision to become a Catholic priest required that he attend St. Philip Neri Seminary in Boston where he completed an intensive program in Latin and Greek. Later he went on to study at St. John Seminary, Brighton, Mass., graduating with a BA in Philosophy. He was ordained a Maine Diocesan priest in 1963, serving in South Portland and Fairfield and as chaplain at the University of Maine in Portland / Gorham, Westbrook College and SMTC. It was during this chaplaincy that Joe began to evolve and change his views on many aspects of life. He became interested and involved in the 1960 protests against the Vietnam War. He met Daniel Berrigan and eventually marched with him and his brother.
After leaving the priesthood and getting married to Claire Nadeau, Joe completed a Master's Degree in Counseling Education at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.
A Licensed Social Worker, he became a Mental Health Therapist at Western Maine Counseling Service in Bridgton, for the next three years. For the next 34 years, Joe was Executive Director of Shalom House, a non-profit organization providing an array of mental health services including housing and support for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. During his tenure, Shalom House grew to include 24 properties (now 28) throughout Cumberland and York counties, serving over 190 consumers and over 1,100 people through assisted housing programs. Joe created a model for mental health care that was on the cutting edge of psychological rehabilitation that includes a creative art program and studio, a peer support program, and a unique consumer educator program that helps fight stigma. This resulted in numerous awards, accreditation, and federal and state contracts. He was a pioneer in community mental health services and a true champion of consumers with serious and persistent mental illness throughout the State of Maine. He established a blueprint for the future and to this day Shalom continues to expand and thrive. In 2002, Shalom's first home was named Brannigan House in his honor. In 2009, he received the Johnson and Korda Innovation Hope Award from Shalom House.
Joe served in the Maine State Legislature for over 27 years as a State Representative and as a State Senator. He chaired the Business & Commerce, Judiciary, Marine Resource, Housing and Economic Development, and Transportation Committees. In addition, he chaired the Appropriations Committee, the Health and Human Service Committee where he facilitated many policy changes to preserve precious funding resources. Joe's brand of politics and advocacy bridged party gaps and influenced others to make fair decisions in some very tough budget times. During his entire legislative service, he was very active in the Eastern Regional Council of State Government.
Joe's involvement and commitment to his community was commendable; he was actively involved on numerous boards and committees. For more than a decade Joe chaired the City of Portland and United Way's Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee which assured a place for all homeless individuals, families and children in the Greater Portland Area. He also had been a part of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Maine Association of Mental Health Services, the Greater Portland Local Service Network, a trustee of The Park Danforth and Chair of the State Correction Facilities Improvement Advisory Committee. Joe has been recognized for his contributions to the City of Portland and the State of Maine through numerous awards and recognitions including: The Trust for Public Land and Trails, Maine Association of Community Support Providers, Maine Prosecutors Association, NAMI Hope Award, Heroes in the Fight NAMI Award, Southern Maine Community Service Award, Greater Portland Council of Governments Appreciation Award, Maine Safety Commission Appreciation Award, Recipient of: USM Alumni Association Community Service Award & USM Distinguished Alumni Award, Sentiment from the Maine Senate.
Joe touched many lives. His influence has been felt in the City of Portland and the State of Maine. Through his various roles as an executive director, legislator and housing advocate he led powerfully and humbly, encouraging people to grow and unite to work through challenges.
Joe had a great sense of humor enjoyed by all who knew him but especially when he diffused a tense situation during a legislative hearing.
Joe is survived by his wife Claire and son Luke; brothers Jerome/Elaine and Anthony/Shirley and sister Mary Brannigan; by brothers-in-law Normand Nadeau/Jeannette and Mike Quinn/Nancy; sister-in-law Joanne Nadeau; numerous nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his parents; sister-in-law Rachel Quinn; and nephew Brian Quinn.
Joe loved reading, films, theater, downhill and cross county skiing and politics. Joe will be missed by his family and many dear friends and colleagues.
There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at Ludcke Auditorium, UNE, 716 Stevens Avenue in Portland, on Feb. 7, 2015. On line condolences may be sent to oobfuneral@gmail.com.

Donations in his memory
may be made to
Shalom House, Inc.
106 Gilman St.
Portland, Maine 04102