Résumé

Draftsman/Architect, Chester L. Lindsey and Associates, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1966-1978.

Architect, Martin Selig, Real Estate Developer, Seattle, WA. He worked with Lindsey on the Columbia Seafirst Center in the early 1980s.

Architect, The Brenna Company, Seattle, WA. His obituary summarized his career: "Paul started out his career in architecture with Chester Lindsey Architects and designed many office buildings in Lower Queen Anne and throughout Bellevue. He was very involved with the construction of The Columbia Center, acting as an owner's representative, and project manager for Martin Selig. One of the more recognizable projects Paul designed, while working at Chester Lindsey's, was the Chateau St. Michelle Winery in Woodinville. He and his wife later started The Brenna Company where he was an owner's representative and project manager for several high end residential construction projects throughout the Puget Sound area." (See Seattle Times.com. "Paul L. Brenna 1946-2016," published 05/15/2016, accessed 08/03/2022.)

High School

Graduate, Rainier Beach High School, Seattle, WA, 1964..

Relocation

Born on 08/27/1946 in Spokane, WA, Paul L. Brenna lived with his parents in that city until 1949, but moved to Seattle by at least 04/1950. The Brennas lived at 5835 South 16th Avenue in Seattle in 1950. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: 3076; Sheet Number: 73; Enumeration District: 40-834, accessed 08/03/2022.) According to his obituary, he spent his childhood living in West Seattle and graduated from Seattle's Rainier Beach High School. (See Seattle Times.com. "Paul L. Brenna 1946-2016," published 05/15/2016, accessed 08/03/2022.) His parents resided at 4049 54th Avenue SW later in 1993. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, accessed 08/03/2022.)

He lived during the 1990s and 2000s in Issaquah, WA.

The architect passed away due to cancer.

Parents

His mother was Geraldine "Gerry" Jones (born 04/14/1927 in Spokane, WA-d. 05/31/1987 in Seattle, WA). (See "Funerals," Spokane Spokesman-Review, 06/02/1987, p. 12.) Her parents were a sign painter William M. Jones (born 03/31/1900 in AR-d. 01/02/1958 in Coeur d'Alene, ID) and stenographer Maude E. Russell (born 01/1900 in IA-d. 02/29/1952 in Spokane, WA)

The architect's father was Howard Nels Brenna (born 11/11/1923 in Seattle, WA-d. 05/10/2007 in Seattle, WA), who worked for the US Coast Guard in Seattle on 06/30/1942. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Washington, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 20, accessed 08/03/2022.) In 1950, Howard Brenna worked as a firefighter for the City of Seattle, while Geraldine worked as an advertising clerk for the Pacific Bell Company at that time. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: 3076; Sheet Number: 73; Enumeration District: 40-834, accessed 08/03/2022.)

Geraldine and Howard wed on 09/02/1949 in Spokane, WA. The marriage certificate indicated that the bride's name was "Geraldine Hunter." (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013, accessed 08/03/2022.)

Howard's parents wre Nels Brenna and Olga Gregerson.

Spouse

He wed Julie Denise Janssen (born c. 1948 in WA) on 05/12/1972 in King County, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: kingcoarchmc365640, accessed 07/28/2022.) A marriage certificate identified her as "Julie Denise Hannah." (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: kingcoarchmc365640, accessed 08/03/2022.)

Biographical Notes

Brenna was an avid motorcyclist and founding member of the "Hell's Geezers Riding Club."