John J. Brennan

John was a true Christmas Baby, born in Philadelphia on December 24, 1922. He graduated from Roman Catholic High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 when America entered World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served in the Pacific Theatre on the escort carrier USS Makassar Strait as an Aviation Metalsmith, First Class.

After serving his county for four years, he received an honorable discharge. He returned to civilian life and married his one and only love, Loretta Herre, in 1947. Together they took on life and the enormous challenges of raising a family of 10 children.

John took advantage of the new GI Bill of Rights and received his college degree in Accounting by attending LaSalle College at night while raising his young family and working during the day. He fancied himself an engineer as well and often had the chance to bridge the accounting and engineering worlds at Philco and RCA. He retired from RCA Astro in Hightstown, NJ in 1984, at which time John purchased his beloved red Dodge Ram truck which served him and his family for more than 30 years.

He is preceded in death by his wife Loretta ('Rett', nee Herre) and youngest son, Denis; his mother and father, and three siblings, Margaret, Madeline and Bill and their spouses. John is survived by his four daughters, Kathleen, Peggy, Linda and Patricia, and by five sons, Bill, Daniel, Thomas, Jack and Timothy, and by his sister, Dorothy, who herself is 103 years.

John was a loyal and devoted husband, and the proud dedicated father of 10 children. He was PopPop to 15 grandchildren, and great grandfather of 14. He was an honest employee, a good son, and an honorable man. He was a good neighbor in Philadelphia, then Levittown, and later in Yardley, PA where he lived the last 56 years of his life.

John loved competitive family fishing trips off Long Beach Island, NJ and a good pinochle game. He was a great "slide and glide" dancer and was well read. A builder and fixer of things, he would collect discarded lumber and other building supplies, which he stored in his garage and generously made available to whomever needed it for free. "The price was right", he was fond of saying.

John answered to a few names over his lifetime including JJ, Pops, Jack, and Johnny B, but the title he answered to most proudly, without question, was that of Dad. He was a warrior for his brood. He was always ready to lend a hand, often came to the rescue, would build, repair, plumb, paint, whatever was needed. He was dedicated to his family. He often said, "Family is what's important, the rest is just window dressing".

He lived long, gave much, was loved and respected, and will be deeply missed.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, December 19, 2022, from 9:30 until 10:30 am at the Saint John the Evangelist Church, 752 Big Oak Road, Morrisville, where his funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am. The Rite of Committal will follow in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne.