Joel Brest

Joel Brest
November 9, 1938 - January 21, 2026
Joel I. Brest, 87, father, grandfather, economist, community activist, tennis enthusiast.
Born in Brockton Mass. to Phyllis and Irving Brest, resident of Stamford since the '60s.
Married to his college sweetheart, Wendy Friedman Brest, for 65 years. Joel passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21 with his family by his side.
Survived by the love of his life, Wendy. And by his three cherished children Diana Toomey-Wilson and son-in-law David Toomey-Wilson of Norwalk, Daniel Brest of Annapolis MD, Richard Brest and daughter-in-law Kanika Soni of Santa Monica CA. Plus two treasured grandchildren, James and Ruby Toomey-Wilson. And by his special sister, Barbara Brest, of Falmouth Mass.
Graduate of Thayer Academy (and Alumnus of the Year in 2006) and Brown University. Met his wife, Wendy, in her Freshman year at Brown. Earned a Ph.D. in Economics at Brown in 1964, then joined the research staff of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. With the arrival of twins Diana and Daniel in 1967, moved his career to IBM in the suburbs and his family to Stamford where Richard was born.
Joel developed statistical software packages to build econometric forecasting models, teaching Alan Greenspan econometrics along the way. He travelled the globe lecturing on worldwide economic conditions.
Amid his travels, Joel coached his children's sports teams, skated at the Roxbury Winter Club, and played tennis well into his 80s at the Roxbury Swim and Tennis Club.
Served as commissioner for the NY State Dept. of Health, setting hospital reimbursement rates and as a long-term member of the Harvard Industrial Economists roundtable where he won the Seer of the Year Award.
After a fulfilling career at IBM retiring as chief economist in 1993, Joel pursued an active retirement. He published a roundup of New England economic conditions for a weekly article in the Wall Street Journal. He also consulted to business clients on statistical methods and economic forecasting.
Joel was a community activist on local roadway construction, water tower and traffic issues, among others. He and Wendy were devotees of classical music and the theater, and he followed Wendy to fine arts exhibitions.
An avid tennis player in the summer and platform tennis player in the winter, Joel served (literally) with the Good Old Boys and led the stalwart Old Men at Roxbury.
Showing up (early) meant everything to Joel, offering his talents and service to countless causes. He was a reliable contributor to many charitable organizations, an officer and Board member of Senior Men's Association of Stamford, Temple Beth El, Jewish Community Endowment Foundation, Roxbury Community Association, Roxbury Swim and Tennis Club, and Learning in Retirement. He was Ever True, fundraising for decades for Brown. And a perennial volunteer at the Stamford Senior Center, as well as counselor to enrollees for Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Finally, an enthusiastic supporter of Wendy's artistic career, Joel served faithfully as her internet consultant, publicist and photographer.
A funeral service and celebration of Joel's life will be held Friday, January 23, 2 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, Stamford CT 06902. Burial will be in the adjacent Beth El Cemetery.
For those who can't attend in-person, you can view the livestream at https://www.tbe.org/tbe-live/
Services are under the care of Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home located at 104 Myrtle Ave. Stamford, CT. For online condolences please visit Gallagherfuneralhome.com