Brendan Daly

1925 - 2014

Daly, Brendan 03/23/1925 ~ 05/10/2014 LA MESA -- Born to Francis Daly and Mary (Keena) Daly in Ballinahown, County Offaly, Ireland, on March 23, 1925, Brendan Daly died peacefully in hospice care on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Brendan attended Boher National School, County Offaly, the Cistercian College, Roscrea, County Tipperary, and, at the age of 17, University College, Dublin, where he studied medicine. Brendan later trained in anesthesia in England (Bradford and Nottingham) and, via competition for postgraduate studies in Canada, at McGill University in Montreal. Brendan was also a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Brendan became a US citizen after enlisting in the US Navy. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1963 after both active and reserve duty. He served at the Oaknoll Naval Hospital in Oakland and at Balboa Hospital (NMCSD) in San Diego. In private practice Brendan worked in Wilmington, DE, and, for almost 30 years, at Grossmont District Hospital in La Mesa. Brendan was an elected board member of CAP, the Cooperative of American Physicians. Over the years Brendan also interviewed and sponsored numerous American applicants to the Royal College of Surgeons. Brendan was an avid golfer, an enthusiastic fan of all San Diego sports teams, and a great proponent of youth soccer. He loved to read, to write and recite poetry, and to spend time with his grandchildren. Brendan is survived by his wife of 52 years, Theresa (Cunney); his daughter, Rita Barkett, wife of Douglas Barkett, of El Cajon; three sons, Brendan, husband of Heather Daly, of Cleveland, OH; Kevin, husband of Stephanie Larson, of Lewisburg, PA; and Dermot, husband of Aoife Daly, of Bettystown, County Meath, Ireland; and eight grandchildren, Megan Barkett, Austin Daly, Elsbeth Daly, Bridget Daly, Maggie Daly, Sean Daly, Bobby Daly, and JJ Daly. He also leaves behind his sister, Margaret Daly-Murphy, wife of Martin Murphy, of Pacific Palisades. Brendan's two younger brothers, Francis "Foss" and Noel, preceded Brendan in death, as did two infant daughters, Angela and Catherine. A rosary vigil was held at Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 13, and a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, May 14. Brendan was interred at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in San Diego. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Father Joe's Villages, Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church in La Mesa, Santa Sophia Catholic Church in Casa de Oro, and the Sharp HospiceCare Fund. Brendan is fondly remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son. His wit, wisdom, and humanity will be greatly missed.