Joseph Estill Bresnahan

Joseph Estill Bresnahan, 83, passed peacefully May 1, 2012. Born December 30, 1928, in Augusta, Georgia to James J. & Clara E. Bresnahan. Preceded in death by his parents and sister, Clara Bresnahan, Joe is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Rosa Gressette Bresnahan; step-daughter, Rosa Davis and husband Steve of Knoxville, TN; step-son, David Gressette and wife Casey of Edisto Island; grandsons, Joseph Davis, Stephen Davis and Logan Gressette; a granddaughter, Carson Davis; a brother, James J. Bresnahan and wife Rosalie of Atlanta, GA; three nephews and a niece.

He attended Boys' Catholic High School, Class of l947. Joe received his BS degree and MS degree in Textile Chemistry from Georgia Tech in 1951 and 1955. He served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict and remained in the Naval Reserve until 1976, retiring with the rank of Captain. After completing his MS, he worked a short time as a Chemist for Burlington Industries and returned to Augusta, joining the Industrial Engineering Department with John P King Manufacturing Company. In 1963 he joined the Graniteville Company in Product Development and remained with Graniteville Company until 1986, leaving as Senior Vice President of Operations. He joined Greenwood Mills as Vice-President of Finishing and was in charge of their Orangeburg Operations. He left Greenwood Mills as Senior-Vice-President of Operations. He later consulted in the textile industry until 1996. While active in the textile industry he served as chairman of several committees of the South Carolina Textile Manufacturing Association and served on their Board of Trustees. He also chaired the Finishing Committee for the American Textile Manufacturers Institute. He was widely respected in the textile industry. One of his proudest achievements in textiles was the computer automation of two continuous dyeing and finishing plants in the states for which he was responsible; and one continuous plant in Turkey where he served as a consultant. He was active for 10 years on the Board of Trustees for St. Joseph's Hospital in Augusta, Georgia where he served as Chairman of the Board for three years. He loved golf and was a member of the Augusta Country Club and also West Lake Country Club, where he was one of the founding members of West Lake Country Club.

He and Rosa enjoyed boating in their earlier years with their many wonderful close friends in Augusta at Clarks Hill; and later on with the many couples they met through the Hatteras Long Range Cruisers and also their friends at Edisto Beach where they retired in 1988. Joe served on Town Council for Edisto Beach for eight years; was President of the Edisto Beach Property Owners Association and served on their Board of Trustees for a number of years. But what truly defined Joe was his love of God, and this love showed with his many years serving Sts. Frederick and Stephen Catholic Church on Edisto Island as a constant volunteer; bookkeeper, janitor, and whatever else needed to be done. He enjoyed life, his family, his career in textiles, his church and the Town of Edisto Beach.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of East TN Personal Care Service and Manorhouse Assisted Living in Knoxville, TN.

Pallbearers: Paul Menk, Augusta GA; Thomas Tantillo, Augusta, GA; Rea Hinson, Pittsboro, NC; Dr. Carl Nechtman, Augusta GA; Dr. Dennis Newton, Lexington, SC; Jim Perry, Alpharetta, GA; Roger Whaley, Columbia, SC; Archie Johnston, Edisto Beach. Honorary pallbearers: Peter Menk, Augusta, GA; Mayor Burley Lyons, David Cannon, Frank Leavens, Mickey Blancett, Mitchell Van Metre, all of Edisto Beach and Ken Korpanty, Edisto Island.

Family will receive friends Friday, May 11th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Sts. Frederick and Stephen Catholic Church, Edisto Island. A funeral mass for Joe will be celebrated Saturday, May 12th at 11:00 a.m. in Sts. Frederick and Stephen Catholic Church. Military burial will follow at The Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Edisto Island.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Sts. Frederick and Stephen Catholic Church Building Fund, P O Box 602, Edisto Island, SC 29438.

Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway.