Obituary of Robert J. Brennan

Robert J. Brennan formerly of Marblehead, GE Retiree; 76 LEOMINSTER Robert J. Brennan, of Leominster and The Villages, FL and formerly of Marblehead, died Friday, August 1, 2008, at the age of 76 after numerous medical problems stemming from a spinal cord injury while on a Florida vacation in 1997. Born May 7, 1932 in Woburn, MA, Brennan was the son of the late Robert J. Brennan, Sr. and Helen Smith Brennan. Mr. Brennan is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Priscilla (Nash) Brennan, of Leominster; his three daughters, Kathleen Edwards and husband, Scott, of Marblehead, Patricia Dudley, also of Marblehead, Tracy Stevenson and husband, Matt, of Topsfield, MA; his step-daughter, Tiffany Ciprotti of Leominster; his grandchildren, William and Jennie Edwards, Kaitlyn and Shawn Dudley, and Ryan Stevenson; his brother, Kevin Brennan and wife, Joanne, of Pittsfield; and his sister, Jane Magner and husband, Jim, of Richmond, MA. In addition, he leaves his sister-in-law, Carol Brennan of Pittsfield. From Leominster, he leaves his mother-in-law, Jean Nash, and two brothers-in-law, Wallace (Ed) and Douglas Nash. There are many cousins, nieces, and nephews throughout the country who are left, as well as his former wife, Rose Mary (Tierney) Brennan of Marblehead. He was predeceased by two sons, Terrance Brennan (in 1959) of Amherst, and Timothy Brennan (in 1984) of Marblehead, and a brother, John (Jack) Brennan (in 2003) of Pittsfield. Being a precocious child, Bob attended Boston Latin School. When his father, who was a Naval Commander, came home from the war, the family moved to western Massachusetts. Robert "Pookie" Brennan graduated from Pittsfield High School, Pittsfield, MA, in 1949. After graduating at an early age, he attended post-graduate school at Berkshire Prep, Sheffield, MA, then went on to University of Notre Dame for two years. He served in the military, and then graduated in 1959 from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, cum laude in engineering. Brennan was inducted into Tau Beta Pai Engineering Honor Society. Early in his career, Mr. Brennan completed several job-specific graduate courses at Northeastern University. According to an early newspaper article, "Brennan began his colorful sports career at Pittsfield High School where he won two letters in each of three sports, football, baseball, and hockey. During his senior year he starred in the Peanut Bowl as quarterback. He continued his sports career at Notre Dame, playing varsity baseball. Still in college, he was offered a contract to play third base with the Philadelphia Phillie's Class A farm team. His desire for a college education won out and he refused the offer. In his junior year he transferred to the University of Massachusetts, where he captained the school's first hockey team. In the military, while with the 14th OC Company, Fifth Student Battalion, he surprised his classmates by giving a boxing exhibition that tabbed him as one of the class's top athletes." Brennan served his country beginning his military service as Private in the US Army 5th Armored Division, Camp Chaffee, Arkansas where he completed basic and advanced infantry training. He earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant at Ft. Benning, Georgia and attended Officer Candidate School. Brennan rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and then to Captain at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where he was a Platoon Leader and an Executive Officer in the SPT. CO. 325th Airborne Infantry Company 82nd Airborne Division, completing an unprecedented 22 jumps. Mr. Brennan earned several medals. The General Electric Company of Lynn, Massachusetts hired Brennan following college graduation. He worked in the Aircraft Engine Production Division where he began and ended his successful managing career thirty-five years later, taking early retirement in 1994. Brennan consulted for the company after retiring, working until the spinal cord accident in 1997, which left him quadriplegic. While at GE, he attended many seminars and workshops, earned several managerial awards, was a manufacturing studies program instructor, and taught negotiation skills workshops. Most of Robert Brennan's adult life was spent living in Marblehead. In 1969, he became a member of the United States Power Squadrons, Marblehead Division, and taught safety courses. He was a member of the Boston Yacht Club since the early 1970s up until his death, although he took several years off because of the spinal cord injury. In 2008, his wife and he became members of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. An avid yachtsman, Bob excelled in sailing and yacht racing, winning many first place trophies. He was well sought after for his helmsmenship. In 1983, he purchased a power boat and was the first sailor in Marblehead Harbor to own a Grady White, but sold the boat after his accident. In 2004, he purchased a 38 foot sailboat for his wife for her devoted and loving care. Along with a business partner, he established Sailboats Northeast, which is a boat brokerage, and later sold the Marblehead business. In addition to his active boating life, Bob became a Third Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus and occasionally was seen golfing at Salem Country Club. Bob Brennan enjoyed sailing vacations in the Caribbean, and he was especially proud of his Irish heritage. While engaged in surveying on the western part of the Mass Pike, the famous artist, Norman Rockwell, sketched Brennan at work. BRENNAN A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2008 from the Silas F. Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster with a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St Leo's Church, 128 Main St., Leominster. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery also in Leominster. A calling hour will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Driving directions can be found on the web at: www.richardsonfuneralhome.net. Flowers may be sent to the Richardson Funeral Home. If you would prefer, you may make a donation to spinal cord research in Mr. Brennan's name. Please send checks made payable to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital with a note stating Spinal Cord Research. Address: Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Boston, MA 02114.