John F. Brennan

Lincoln - John Francis Brennan, Sr. passed away on April 23, 2024 at the age of 94 at his home in Lincoln, Rhode Island surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 24, 1929 to Sabina (McGovern) and Daniel Brennan in Central Falls, Rhode Island.
He was predeceased by his wife Lucy (Viera) Brennan who passed in 1976, his second wife Pauline (Lambert) Brennan who passed in 2018, and his five brothers, James, George, Daniel, Thomas, and Charles. He is survived by his sister Sabina Martinous of Warwick, Rhode Island, and his children, Donna Boulanger and her husband Roland of Sutton, Massachusetts, Karen Bates and her husband Scott of Warren, Rhode Island, John Brennan, Jr and his wife Deborah of Westwood, Massachusetts, his son James Brennan of Parrish, Florida and his daughter Jane Brennan-Alves and her husband Victor of Cumberland, Rhode Island.
He is also survived by his grandsons, Michael Bates and his wife Amy of Plainville, Massachusetts, Christopher Bates, and Peter Bates of Warren, Rhode Island, John Brennan III and his wife Jacqueline of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Matthew Brennan and his wife Kayla of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and his great grandchildren Aidan and Nathan Bates, Calvin, Perry, Lucy and John IV Brennan, all of Massachusetts.
He is also survived by his stepdaughter Lynda Thompson and her sons Dylan and Benjamin.
He attended Elementary and Junior High School at Holy Trinity School where he was a right forward on the basketball team. He attended Central Falls High School, the Rhode Island School of Design, and held an Associate's Degree from Bryant University. He joined the United States Navy on July 15, 1946, at the age of 17. He achieved the rank of Second-Class Petty Officer and served on the USS Macon. He received his Honorable Discharge April 18, 1950.
He began his career in the textile industry at Saylesville Dye & Finishing Company, advancing to a position of colorist in the chemistry lab while attending the Rhode Island School of Design Textile Division. His career then included time at several textile companies located in Danielson, Connecticut and at Dodgeville Finishing. He ended his career as the Vice President/General Manager of Slater Dye Works, Slater Finishing, and Slater Screen Print. He was successful in growing it from one company with twenty workers to three companies with over four hundred employees.
His greatest joy was his family, he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He looked forward to Sunday dinners with his family that included an afternoon of playing the card game Canasta. He was affectionately called the "Master of Canasta" by his children, because he would generally win.
He was an avid investor reading the Wall Street Journal and doing his stock research daily. He enjoyed engaging with the activities at the Lincoln Senior Center. He loved bird watching at his home in Lincoln.
He taught his children by example, that people are more important than things. This is how he lived his entire life. He was known for his warmth, kindness, generosity, and as a man of the utmost integrity.
He will be dearly missed by his family, and all those who were fortunate enough to have known him.
His funeral will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 at 9:00 am from Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. in Saint Ambrose Church, 191 School Street, Albion. Burial with military honors will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cumberland. Family and friends are invited, and may attend visiting hours on Thursday from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to the Lincoln Senior Center, 150 Jenckes Hill Road, Lincoln, RI 02865 would be appreciated. For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com.
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