John A. Brennan

Born April 4, 1931, John Albert Brennan, middle child of Margaret and Roland Brennan, died on September 6, 2017. Faith, Family, and Friends were Jack’s highest priorities throughout life. John attended School 9 in Yonkers, on Fairview St., where life-long friendships began with the famous “Wildcats”, a group of childhood friends who remained close throughout life. John graduated from Hawthorne Junior High School and Commerce High School. He met the love of his life, Maureen McCoy, while working at Sears Roebuck in downtown Yonkers in 1951. Jack and Maureen married on February 8, 1958 at St. Mary’s Church in Yonkers. While working at Sears, Jack also served in the Army Reserves for four years. Professionally, Jack was trained as an accountant, graduating from Pace University by going to night school while working concurrently at jobs including Drakenfeld, Borden, American Can, and ultimately GAF; where he led the Building Materials Division from 1978-1988 as President. In all these positions Jack loved working to provide for his family. Upon retirement from GAF, Jack focused on improving the lives of homeless people through board participation on The Sharing Community and creating employment for recent immigrants to Southwest Yonkers through the creation of Mertech Industries. Jack’s Catholic faith was central to his life, maintaining a lifelong affiliation with Sacred Heart Parish in Yonkers, participating for 66 years in the Third Order of Secular Franciscans. Additional faith based affiliations for Jack included the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Westchester County, the Knights of Malta, serving with Maureen at the Mass for the Handicapped for over 50 years, and initiating monthly parish meal commitments to The Sharing Community. His Catholic faith was of the Irish-American variety, which required several pilgrimages to Ireland, where friends like the McLaughlins and O’Roukes became extended family. As an Irish American from Yonkers, being named The Grand Marshall for the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1994 was an honor he always cherished. An avid sports fan, Jack loved New York teams including the Brooklyn Dodgers, the New York Mets, NY football Giants, Rangers, Knicks, and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He started Bagels & Baseball 25 years ago, an annual event that his son, Terence, continues to this day. Jack is survived by his sister, Margaret “Peggy” Boulhosa (Lino Boulhosa), his wife of 59 1/2 years, Maureen, by their five children; Dr. Mary Wirshup (Mike Wirshup), Eileen Evans(Bob Evans), Nancy Brennan-Jordan (Bill Jordan), Bernadette Ruth (Chris Ruth), and Terence Brennan (Liran Brennan); and 14 grandchildren; Maureen Allridge (Richard), Sarah Wirshup, Kathleen Wirshup, John Evans, Brian Evans, Bernadette Jordan, Stephen Jordan, Mary Jordan, James Ruth, Anna Ruth, Maggie Ruth, Ryan Brennan, Evan Brennan, and Dylan Brennan. John is also survived by many nieces and nephews with a very special love for Michael Boulhosa (Susan) and Stephen Boulhosa(Eileen).

Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Friday 2-4 & 7-9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Church on Saturday September 9th at 11:30am. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Jack Brennan to the Community Volunteers in Medicine medical facility led by Jack’s oldest daughter, Dr. Mary Wirshup (See http://cvim.org )

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com