Robert J. Brennan Jr.

BRENNAN, Robert J. Brennan, Jr., age 68 of Fairfield, beloved husband of Alyson Janis Brennan, passed away peacefully October 19, 2011 in his home surrounded by his family. Bobby was born in Bridgeport on August 27, 1943 son of the late Robert J. and Roselyn Murray Brennan, Sr. He was a graduate of Fairfield University, and received his Juris Doctorate from Dickinson School of Law of Pennsylvania State University. He was elected to the Fairfield Zoning Board of Appeals from 1987 to the present, currently serving as Chairman. Bobby was a member of the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy (Lauralton Hall) Board of Trustees, serving as Vice Chairman and Chairman, the Fairfield University Alumni Association Board of Directors serving as President, Fairfield University Board of Trustees, Fairfield University Stag Booster Club serving as Secretary, Treasurer and President, the American Cancer Society Board of Directors, Fairfield College Preparatory School Advancement Council, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Gaelic American Club, the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, and both the Connecticut and Bridgeport Bar Associations. Bobby was awarded the Dickinson School of Law Joseph Parker McKeenan Award, the Fairfield University Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year 1978, Fairfield University Lyons-Lademan Founders Award for Contributions to Athletics 1986, Fairfield University Jubilee Medal 1992, Academy of Our Lady of Mercy (Lauralton Hall) Rev. Peter H. McClean Award 1998, and in May 2000 Fairfield University and its Alumni Association named the main room of the Alumni House in his honor. He was also co-founder and "The Coach" of the Bombers. He was predeceased in addition to his parents by his brother Shaun Murray Brennan and nephew Ryan Charles Brennan. In addition to his wife Alyson he is survived by his devoted children; Katie O'Leary and husband Sean, Robert J. Brennan, III and wife Jess, Kimberly Brennan Tyler and husband Ryan, Meghan Chiota and husband Gregg, Maura Carey and husband Brian, and Thomas Brennan and wife Shannon, four grandchildren; Sean and Tim O'Leary, Mari Maeve Brennan, and McKenna Chiota, two brothers; Thomas M. Brennan and his wife Dale, and Daniel E. Brennan and wife Charlene, his sister Mary Ellen Brennan-Connelly and husband Chris, many nieces, nephews, cousins and "The Outlaws". While Bobby's life was filled with many awards, achievements and accolades, his life was defined by his generous spirit, unwavering faith and his deep love of family. He made sure that the door to Fern Street was always open and once you stepped across its threshold you were family too. His most cherished role was devoted father to his six children, which to his own good fortune expanded to twelve with their marriages. And then he became Gramps. Arguably his most successful role was, loving boyfriend and husband of fifty-one years to Alyson. Their union was bound by love, devotion and faith and was an inspiration to everyone around them. When honoring his own father, Bobby once said that if his family loved him half as much as he loved his own then he would consider himself a success. Using this measure, then Robert J. Brennan, Jr., died the most successful man on earth. He left this world as he lived his life, surrounded by the warmth of home, the love of family and as usual, making sure that everyone else was taken care of before him. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:00 a.m., meeting directly in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 149 South Pine Creek Rd., Fairfield, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Redgate - Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to the Fairfield University Scholarship Fund, c/o Fairfield University Advancement, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 in honor of the life of Robert J. Brennan, Jr. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com