John P. Brennan, 87; World War II Veteran, Retired Gas Company Executive

From Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home.

John P. Brennan, a lifelong resident of Greenwich, passed away peacefully on Sept. 28, 2013. He was 87.

He was born on July 7, 1926 to the late Patrick and Elizabeth McArdle Brennan and grew up in the Fourth Ward.

He attended St. Mary Grammar School and graduated from Greenwich High School in 1943. A decorated World War II veteran, Mr. Brennan served his country as Technical Sergeant in the 3186th Signal Service Battalion of the U.S. Army in the European-African-Middle Eastern campaign and the Asiatic Pacific campaign. He was among the first U.S. Army personnel to enter Japan after surrender.

He received a B.B.A and a Master's in Taxation from Pace University and was a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Brennan was Vice President of Greenwich Gas Co., which merged with Connecticut Natural Gas Corp. Mr. Brennan was a member of the Greenwich Rotary Club, the Harpoon Club and the St. Mary High School Board of Regents and served as director of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce for almost a decade. He also served on the Representative Town Meeting and on the Selectmen's Land Acquisition Committee.

He was an honorary life member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Brennan was an active parishioner of St. Michael's Church.

He is survived by his five daughters, Patricia A. Brennan, and Bernadette B. (Owen) Davis of Greenwich, Barbara Brennan (George/Rusty) Oxer and Catherine M. Brennan, Esq., of Cos Cob and Tracy (Neville Graham) Brennan, M.D. of West Hartford. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Kolb Brennan, in 1989, and his sister, Catherine Cleary Pullen. 

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 31 Arch St., Greenwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at St. Michael's Church, 469 North St., Greenwich. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Greenwich.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cerebral Palsy of Westchester, School Program, 1186 King St., Port Chester, NY 10573; Passionist Communications, P.O. Box 111, Rye Brook, NY 10573 for the benefit of The Sunday Mass or St. Cecilia School, 1186 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT 06905.

Condolences may be offered at www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com