Donald Eugene Brennan

Donald Eugene Brennan, age 91, died Monday, July 29. 2019 at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan.  Donald was born March 8, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan, son of the late Eugene Bernard Brennan and the late Irene (nee: Kennedy) Brennan.

Donald was born in Detroit and grew up on the city’s east side. It is there that he received his elementary education from Holy Name Catholic Grade School, then would move on to attend high school at Sacred Heart Seminary. Donald’s choice of high school was quite instrumental as he was already mapping out his destiny, a future bright with the hope of one day becoming a priest. Already serving God and devout in his Catholic faith, Donald’s imaginings grew stronger with each passing day and the call upon his heart was intense. Yet the more he entertained the idea, the more he felt compelled to truly think things over. He would wrestle with these emotions until, ultimately, finding himself in the company of the esteemed Father Solanus Casey as he sought his wisdom and guidance. After considerable sharing between the two, Donald came away with Father’s sage advice when he said, “you will know if it’s meant to be.”

Yet little did Donald know that both high school and his designs on the priesthood would soon be put on hold as Uncle Sam came calling and ushered major change into Donald’s life. From 1951 thru 1953, he was part of the Korean War effort and served with honor until his return to the life he was formerly living. Realizing that he had yet to graduate high school, after being whisked away so quickly, the fates appeared to be on his side as the pertinent folks stepped up and acknowledged the lessons he had taken away from the military and granted Donald his high school diploma. From there, he chose to further his education by enrolling at the University of Detroit.

Donald would eventually put the skills he learned while in school to work, along with his natural abilities, when he was offered a position with the automotive giant, General Motors. As a team member within the Interior Trim Design department, Donald was an integral part of the decisions made over the years towards new car development. He loved his work, was a dedicated employee for many years, and served the company with integrity until finally accepting his well-deserved retirement,…an opportunity that presented itself in 1986 when Donald was a young 56 years old. Imagine entering retirement at 56? Donald did,…and he ate up each beautiful moment for which he had worked so hard to earn.

And though his work bio was impressive, there was another wonderful aspect of Donald’s life that happened right around those early years on the job at Plymouth Motors. Call it fate, Kismet, or simply some good ol’ “Luck’O’ the Irish” when he made the acquaintance of a pretty young lass by the name of Patricia Ellen Rutledge. Two young hearts, steeped in the heritage of their Irish ancestors,…and darn proud of it! Well, it didn’t take long for the two boding lovebirds to grow close to each other,…close enough that they decided to make it eternal by sharing in their vows of marriage together on May 14, 1960. In the eyes of family and friends alike…amidst a blast of winter with snow up the wazoo…Donald watched as the middle aisle of St. Matthew Catholic Church took on a radiant glow when his bride began her stroll towards him to become soul mates forever. It was just the beginning of a long and beautiful journey together as husband & wife, a path they would share for the next 58 years until Patricia’s passing on February 6, 2019.

Donald and Patricia shared a wonderful life together building upon the comforts of home & hearth, raising four beautiful boys, and growing deeper in love each day. They made their first home on Courville Street in Detroit,…then a growing family would compel them to think a little larger which led them to their second home, a mere three blocks away across I-94,…on Courville Street in Detroit. Go figure. And it is there that some incredible, challenging, life-changing, and memorable moments were made over the years, moments to last a lifetime. And of these lasting and unforgettable moments came the annual Christmas Party like no other. A tradition that entailed convening on Christmas Eve and partying through Christmas Day, the Brennan’s certainly knew how to “Go Big!” From the food and drink to the festive decorations, Don & Co. made sure that Christmas was going to be a memory their guests would carry with them all year long,…of course, with eager anticipation of the next one coming ‘round.

Yet the annual X-Mas Fest was just part of the fun Donald enjoyed. Another of his and Patricia’s favorite pastimes was shared in the many trips they took over the years. They loved to travel and seek out new and interesting destinations, the pinnacle of all their travels came in October of 2001 when they ventured to the land of their ancestors, the blessed country of Ireland. Of course, a trip of that nature took some planning, yet who could have anticipated the events of the month prior. Alas, navigating the new norm of the TSA and long lines, this Irish lad & lassie boarded their plane and headed forth on an excursion that would fill their soul with joy and their hearts with memories they would not soon forget.

As for fun and travel back home, Donald and Patricia became avid fans of the various bus trips at their disposal. They loved touring around with their fellow travel buddies, especially when the bus was headed to the casinos. With neither one being extreme gamblers, they simply enjoyed the atmosphere and pampering that always seemed to accompany a ride on the Happy Bus. But don’t be fooled,…giving Ol’ Lady Luck a run for her money had its moments as well. An occasional visit to a “one-armed bandit” wasn’t out of the question, and these two Casino Comrades loved giving them a workout.

Yet of all that Donald will be remembered for, perhaps the most endearing will be his deep and abiding faith in God. Again, harkening back to his earlier days and the quest that nearly drew him to the priesthood, it was simply a sign of how passionately he walked with God and how God directed his path. Not only was Donald devout in his faith, but the woman he took to be his bride was also strong in her faith which made for the perfect complement of a husband & wife. A longtime parishioner, for over 20 years, of St. Louise Catholic Church in Warren, remembering Donald will quicken thoughts of how deeply he cared for his fellow man, and what an incredible servant of God he was to all. He, truly, took seriously the commands of God, and donned His armor daily. He will also be revered for the years he spent as a Sunday School Teacher at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Detroit. Donald lived an honorable life, a life stayed on Christ. In all he did, he truly exemplified the scripture in Philippians 2:3 that admonishes;…”consider others more important than yourself.”

A loving husband, father and grandfather, Donald lived, laughed, and loved with exuberance, and poured the best parts of himself into being the example everyone needed,…from school, to work, at home, in his marriage, with his boys, at church,… and in the quietness of his solitude when God did His best work in Donald. That’s how he learned to be the loving mentor he was to all, and what will keep him forever present,…even amidst the absence. He touched countless lives in his journey this side of Heaven,…may he, now, bask in the glory of the reward he has read about his whole life on the other side. “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”

Say Hi to Fr. Solanus for us all.     

Donald was the beloved husband of the late Patricia Brennan, and the dear father of Joseph (Marianna) Brennan, William (Lina) Brennan, Paul (Joanne) Brennan, and Christopher Brennan. He was the loving grandfather of Angela, Stephanie, Eric, Patrick, Brandon, Rosalie, and great-grandfather of Marley, Roman, and Blakely.

Visitation for Mr. Brennan will be held on Wednesday from 5-9 pm, with an evening Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren.  Mr. Brennan will lie in state on Thursday from 9:30 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at St. Louise Catholic Church in Warren.

Memorial donations, in Mr. Brennan's name, are appreciated to Gleaners Community Food Bank, www.gcfb.org

Please share memories of Mr. Brennan at his guest book below.