John Brennan Obituary

Name: Service for John Brennan
Start: 2022-11-28T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-11-28T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home

John "Jack" Brennan of Naples. Florida, age 84, passed away November 14th of progressive cancer. He was born on September 30, 1938, son of the late John and Mary Brennan, late sister Peggy Burke, and father to his late daughter, Kathleen, who died of cancer when she was 2 years old. Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, daughter Brigid of Naples, sons John and Mike of Naperville, IL.; grandchildren Max, Barbara, and Griffin Shallow; grandchildren Pat, Mike, and Kelly Brennan; grandchildren Coeur and Ariel Brennan; sister Mary Kay Slowikowski, and brother Pat Brennan. Jack played football at Mount Carmel. He was a 16 year veteran with the Chicago Police Force helping and mentoring kids through the Gang Intelligence division and then as a Special Youth Officer. He retired as a detective with the Mayor's security detail. Jack then began a super successful career in real estate. He and his wife Barbara opened Brennan Realty in 1975, and shortly converted to RE/MAX franchises in Naperville, Downers Grove and Oakbrook expanding to five offices. His leadership and skill with people were recognized many years with the "Top Broker Award" and he was chosen to start up the Re/Max Brokers "Leadership Team. Jack was a "dynamo" with the listing end of real estate while Barb enjoyed the selling end, especially with first time buyers. It was true... they worked perfectly as a team -- a team that blossomed into a marriage of 62 years, two successful careers and, most importantly, a strong loving family. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday when many people travel out of town, Naperville services have been delayed till after the holiday. A wake will be held Monday, November 28, 2022 at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St. from 4:00 pm to 7 pm, and Mass will follow the next day, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 11:00 am at St. Peter & Paul Church, 46 N. Ellsworth.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Naperville Sun on Nov. 25, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John Brennan

5 Entries

Dan & Rhonda gerten

December 28, 2022

Dear John Bridgette & Mike. This is Dan & Rhonda gerten. Our hearts are saddened. We loved your cute & loving dad. I loved him at first sight when Dan introduced me. & Barb, I feel like I wanna disappear. We are so heartbroken words cannot explain. We love you all !! Hugs & kisses to the grandchildren too. All our sympathy.

Mike Brennan

December 2, 2022

It was the day I told you that I screwed up, the day you grabbed me in a hug so tightly and told me you'll always love me forever unconditionally no matter what.

It was also the day you quit drinking.

It was your love that day for your son that was my favorite memory of you. And there were so many touching memories throughout the years...

You put the newspaper down, and we went for long walks together with my dog instead.

You put the newspaper down, and we went to the movies practically every weekend - just the two of us.

You put the newspaper down, and we played board games as a family.

You put the newspaper down and took me to see my hero Walter Payton break Jim Brown's record.

After awhile, I don't even remember if you bought a newspaper anymore...

You'd take me to Baskin Robbins and make them create a 7 scoop ice cream cone just because I was 7 years old.

You brought the RE/MAX hot air balloon to my grade school's blacktop. Then you bought the whole school McDonald's for lunch totally out of the blue, and gave me a thousand free shamrock shake coupons to pass out to all my classmates. You definitely were the coolest for Dad's Day at Prairie Elementary!

You'd come back from a convention and, without notice, you'd surprise my homeroom with your souvenir - a pinata from Mexico that we tied to a sprinkler head and consequently needed the fire department to come out. But everyone had a blast with the impromptu fire drill.

You'd call me in sick, you'd pull me out of class, and you'd take me to see the Cubs, and Mom never found out!

You pushed, then let go, and I began to ride all by myself.

You bought me a motorcycle when I turned eight. And you gave me your blessing when I bought another one at age 23.

You always pointed and told me to look over there, and when I'd turn back around, I'd catch you stealing my fries.

We always took the long way home, the route along all your active listings, because you knew I liked to guess the home's price.

You were always proud of me, even though maybe some other parents would've been embarrassed at some of the things I did.

You snuck me into the Y hot tub even though I was a few years too young.

You were my Indian Chief, and I was your Indian guide.

You always gave me scratch backs, and for long times!

You bit your tongue and didn't complain when you paid $35 for my girlfriend's Drury Lane Sunday buffet even though she only put 1 grape on her plate (she was anorexic).

You taught me stick shift, and in a DeLorean that you let me drive on dates.

We didn't play a lot of ball, but we went out to eat every night, and if I couldn't make it to the restaurant, you dropped off a doggie bag at my door (and it was frequently from Sullivan's, Hugo's, Morton's, or somewhere awesome like that.)

Things magically happened for me in life over and over again. It took me many naive years, but I finally realized that if I ever wanted anything, someone was always listening to my prayers, but it wasn't my guardian Angel - it was you who was making my dreams come true...

You were my best friend who kept asking how my day was, who was truly listening, and who was sacrificing to make a better life for me... for us all.

It was you who gave up your life to help me live mine!

Thank you Dad!

1938 - 2022

Susann M Miller

December 2, 2022

To The Entire Brennan Family: So sorry for the loss of your loved family member. It's been many years of knowing Jack, beginning with his first Real Estate Office on Ogden Avenue. Since then my association grew to be a part of the Re/Max of Naperville team, which I proudly served. Now that I am retired, I have many fond memories of your family, the Company, the activities we shared, and the kind personal attention that John served. May your days of missing Jack, be filled with happiness in knowing that you were proudly a part of his amazing "Brennan Team" . Thank you for believing in me, as I did you all! With much love, Sue Miller

Orlena Harris

November 29, 2022

I am honored to know John. He will forever be in my heart that he touched with his kindness.
Sincerely
Orlena Harris

Michael Feldmeier

November 28, 2022

Jack´s time on this earth was marked with a fantastic infusion of uninterrupted joy. His smile, twinkling eyes and comfortable manner of speaking cannot be duplicated. God Bless.

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