John J. Brennan 1932-2023

John Brennan was born in Castleisland, Co. Kerry, on April 17, 1932 to Patrick Brennan and Agnes Brennan (née Burke), the oldest of six children. He was raised in Passage West, Co. Cork and educated by the Christian Brothers at Sullivan’s Quay in Cork City.  On the 4th of July, 1953, at the age of 21, he left Ireland and sailed for New York, bringing with him the ambition to make a better life for himself and a strong and unwavering Roman Catholic faith.

After arriving in New York City John served his new country in the United States Army. He joined the Equitable Life Assurance Society where he worked until his retirement. He started in the basement but was eventually elected a vice president of the company.

John met the love of his life, Teresa Gavigan, of Claddagh, Aclare, Co. Sligo at a dance at the City Center in Manhattan. They were married in the Bronx at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in 1960 and lived in Riverdale the rest of their lives. 

John was active in St. Margaret of Cortona Parish, where he ushered the early Sunday mass for over 50 years, the Riverdale Irish Society, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. In 1995 he was honored as the Riverdale Person of the Year. He was blessed with many wonderful neighbors and friends. Over the years he made many trips back to Ireland and he enjoyed many happy events and celebrations with his large extended family in New York, Ohio, England and Ireland. He wrote several articles for the annual Cork Holly Bough, recalling stories of life in Ireland, and contributed an oral history to the Glucksman Ireland House at New York University.

John was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 50 years, Teresa B. Brennan (née Gavigan), his parents Patrick Brennan and Agnes Brennan (née Burke), his brother Thomas (Mary) and his sisters Marie and Margaret. He is survived by his children Patrick (Marian), John (Mary), James and Ann (Doug), his beloved grandchildren Barbara, John, Alexandra, Catherine, Kathleen, Una, Michael, Seamus, Emily, and Conor, his brothers, the Rev. Patrick Brennan O.P. and Maurice, many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

John lived the American Dream. He loved the country he emigrated from, the country he immigrated to, his friends, his family and his Catholic faith. He believed deeply that life is worth living and he lived a worthy life until the end.

A wake will be held at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home located at 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at St. Margaret of Cortona Church located at 6000 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Harboring Hearts, 246 5th Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001. Mission Statement: Since 2009, Harboring Hearts has provided emergency housing, transportation, food, and emotional support programming to cardiac surgery and transplant patients and their families. Website: https://www.harboringhearts.org