2009
Frank Brew, 92, a retired lawyer for the National Archives and other federal agencies, died Feb. 28 of congestive heart
failure at his home in Arlington County.
Mr. Brew began his federal career in the late 1930s and early 1940s working for the Census Bureau and the Social
Security Administration. With the advent of World War II, he enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Velocity, an
oceangoing minesweeper operating in the South Pacific. He remained in the Navy Reserve after the war and retired as a
captain in the 1970s.
After the war, he was a lawyer for the National Archives, the Justice Department, the Navy Department and the State
Department. He retired in 1972.
Francis William Brew was born in the District and graduated from Gonzaga College High School. He received a
bachelor's degree in 1938 and a law degree in 1942, both from Georgetown University.
In retirement, he and his wife took 17 trips to Ireland, the birthplace of Mr. Brew's ancestors.
He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Arlington and volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul
Society, Catholic Charities of Arlington, Christ House in Alexandria, the Arimatheans and the Knights of Columbus.
He was a bowler and a golfer, making three holes-in-one during his many years on the links. An erstwhile fan of the old
Washington Senators, he recalled that when he was a youngster, he saw Hall of Famer Walter Johnson pitch at Griffith
Stadium.
His wife, Peggy Ann English Brew, died in 2006.
Survivors include four children, William E. "Bill" Brew of Falls Church, Elizabeth L. "Betty" Brew of Arlington, Katherine
Brew Barbee of Arlington and Robert E. Brew of Tucson; a brother; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
-- Joe Holley