Alfred L. Brennan Sr.

On July 14, 2012 The Honorable Alfred L. Brennan, Sr., 83; Loving husband of Marjorie Lappe Brennan; devoted son of the late Patrick D. Brennan, Sr. and Elizabeth McConneghey Brennan; Beloved father of Alfred L. Brennan, Jr. and his wife Janice M., Robert C. Brennan and his wife Michele D., Terence P. Brennan and his wife Denise L., Michael G. Brennan and his wife Tambra M., Donald J. Brennan and his wife Maura P. and Carolyn B. Wescott and her husband Lawrence; brother of Thomas C. Brennan and the late Patrick D. Brennan, Jr., John J. Brennan, Francis E. Brennan, Mary C. Huster, Bernard A. Brennan, Rita M. McWilliams, and Mildred L. Ruark; Cherished grandfather of P.J. Brennan, Beth Ann Shaw, Mary Kate Brennan, Mary Allison Brennan, Patrick T. Brennan, Kevin L. Brennan, Keith J. Brennan, Steven D. Brennan, Michael G. Brennan, Jr., Christa M. Brennan, Daniel D. Brennan, Shannon E. Brennan, Matthew E. Brennan, Claire L. Wescott, John L. Wescott and Robert S. Wescott.

The family will receive friends in the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc., 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, MD 21093 on Wednesday, July 18 from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in Church of The Immaculate Conception, 200 Ware Ave. Towson, MD 21204 on Thursday, July 19 at 11am. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed in Mr. Brennan’s memory to the Metropolitan Club of Baltimore, C/O Harry E. Silverwood, 5 Valley Oak Ct., Timonium, MD 21093 or to the Cancer Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center, 7601 Oslar Dr., Jordan Center, Suite 158, Towson, MD 21204. A guest register is available at www.lemmonfuneralhome.com.

A eulogy given be Alfred Brennan, Jr.

February 3, 1995

Dear Marge and Children:

Attached is a letter that my father, Patrick D. Brennan, wrote to his children before he died. I am adopting that letter and passing it on to you.

I am not sick at this time nor do I expect to die very soon, but one doesn’t know when the Lord will call. That is why I want to be ready both spiritually as well as worldly. I have prepared my Will and appointed Al to handle my estate. I apologize for not leaving all of you millionaires, but the lottery numbers didn’t match your birth dates so you have to share some of the blame. You have given me a wealth of memories.

First, I want to tell you that I was the luckiest boy in the world to have met your mother at the Lady of Lourdes that Sunday night in March 1946. Our courtship lasted over seven years while I finished high school, two years at Loyola College, and law school. Marge was very patient waiting for me as she had finished Notre Dame College and I was just beginning law school. We didn’t have the slightest idea that we would be so lucky to have such a wonderful family. We had a lot of encouragement and support from our families, which was appreciated. First came little Al. We had no idea of how to care for a child. Al is the end product of trial and error.

Within months we were expecting Bob and we soon became experts. Marge was a terrific mother, considering her lack of experience. She cared for you guys as if you were the only children in the world. Marge “the princess and her little gentlemen.” Terry came along and then she was pregnant with Mike. She always had three in diapers (This was before pampers). During all of this, I was away many nights, either night court, the office, or political meetings. We tried to give you a good education and a religious background. We provided you with summers at Ocean City and soon Don and Carolyn rounded out our family. This required us to move to Felton Road where we have many fond memories. We met some wonderful people because of you. Friends that have lasted many years. Each one of you is very dear to us. Each one has a distinct personality that we have always enjoyed. Each one of you has accomplished many feats that have made us very proud. I can’t tell you how many times we have met people who were familiar with you and they have told us what a wonderful son or daughter we have. This is the greatest compliment to Marge that I can think of. She was responsible for molding your character and growth.

As each one of you married and left the home, I would cry at your wedding. Marge would laugh at me happily calling it progress. I would think of all the times that I wasn’t with you while you were growing and I was working.

All of you have chosen beautiful spouses, 5 in the boys’ cases and a great spouse in Carolyn’s case. You have spouses that are individually different and I couldn’t have selected anyone better. The grandchildren you have shared with us have been a real pleasure. Marge calls them her “Ego Boosters.” I pray for you, your spouses, and the grandchildren every chance I get.

We have had many vacations together, holidays, and other celebrations. It makes me very proud to see you and the grandchildren getting along so well together. As part of my legacy to you, I ask that you remain close together and remember that you would not be who you are without your Mumsy. She is the greatest. I shall pray for your health and success and ask that you remember me in your prayers. Please take good care of Mumsy as she is very precious to me. One day we shall all meet in heaven where the presence of God will be more important than with each other; but the satisfaction of knowing that you will be there too is very rewarding to me. Please keep me in your prayers. Remember your mother’s advice, “if you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.”

Sincerely,

Big Al

April 2010

To my 16 lovely grandchildren:

Mumsy and I were delighted upon the arrival of each and every one of you. She called you her mini pearls and her ego boosters. Watching all of you grow and develop was like an artist admiring his masterpiece. Please pray for me and I’ll be praying for your well being.

October 17th – 1962

My Dear Family: -

When you open this letter I shall no longer be with you, except in spirit, to offer my expressions of deep gratitude to you for all your acts of generous kindness and devotion to your wonderful Mother and me during our many happy years we enjoyed with you.

Believe me this termination of my physical presence is not the end of our relationship, because our heavenly Father brought us together in this mortal life in order that we could be reunited with Him in Heaven.

These few years of our separation are but the equivalent of a single grain of sand in the immortal span of eternity, therefore, it is my dearest wish that you be prepared at all times to have you “Passport of Grace” ready for presentation to God when He calls you to give an account of your stewardship He entrusted you with during your journey through this life.

We must abandon our follies, and do penance for them, not tomorrow, but today, because you and I know death comes like a thief in the night, and your soul will then be all alone with its Creator and His Judgment.

May God grant it will be the reward of Heaven for you and me.

Always remember these words of counsel, and also rest assured I shall never cease to pray for our reunion in Heaven, and I trust you will remember to pray for me often.

On the Feast of all Souls, (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed), you will read the following comforting assurance: For the corruptible must put on incorruption: and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written” Death is swallowed up in victory. O death where is thy victory, O death where is thy sting.”

Therefore, suppress your tears over our temporary parting, but rather dwell on all the happy years we spend together. May God bless you, everyone, including all my grandchildren. Finally, I thank God for the precious jewel He bestowed on my when He united your dear Mother and I in the holy bond of matrimony.

Your Loving Dad. (Patrick D. Brennan, Sr.)

P.S. the above paragraph includes my great-grandchildren. Dad.