VICTORY SC - Key Persons

He was born on February 19, 1945, in Washington, PA, son of the late Raymond James Brennen Sr. and Christine Strnisha Brennen. He grew up in an active family and learned to play soccer at an early age from his father, a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Ray was a 1964 graduate of Trinity High School where he excelled in athletics, especially football. He was one of the first players to introduce the soccer style kick in American high school football. After high school he worked as a machinist for Precision Industries of Washington and retired in 1990 after 33 years of service. He was a member of United Steelworkers local union, where he served as a past president. Following retirement, he called on his earlier experience in sports to build a new career. He purchased Victory Sports which he owned and operated until it's closing in 2022. Ray was very active in community activities including coaching and helping young people through sports. Since 1967 he was a member of PA West Soccer Coaching Association where he devoted his time to coaching thousands of children, helping them to learn and grow through sports. In 1990, he created Victory Soccer Club, a competitive cup program, where he served as the president until 2021. The club focuses on developing and maximizing the potential of soccer players of all ages with the help of some of the most experienced coaches in the area. He was a skilled and avid Trap shooter, a member of the Amateur Trap shooters Association of America since 1971 and a former member of the Pennsylvania State team. He held long time memberships in many related organizations including the National Rifle Association and was a 50-year member of The Golden Pheasant Sportsman's Club where he served as a past president. Ray was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church where he married Donna Marlene Bird on June 29, 1968. In 2018 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a large gathering of their many friends and family. Survivors include Donna Bird Brennen, his wife of 55 years, two children, Jessica (Ronald) Ullom of Washington and Matthew (Lisa) Brennen of Waynesburg; four grandchildren, Brian and Logan Ullom and Chloe and Sean Brennen; two sisters, Sherri (David) Smith of Charlotte, NC and Cynthia (Scott) Snow of Cincinnati, OH; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Patricia J. "Patty" Brennen and Kathleen "Kathy" McClellan"