Lawrence Brennan

Brennan - Lawrence The Honorable Lawrence Joseph (Larry) Brennan, age 77, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2025, just in time to spend Valentine's Day with his soulmate Suzanne in Heaven. Larry was born on December 1, 1947, in Germantown, PA. He was the son of James Michael Jr. and Rosalie Hug Brennan; and brother of James (Jimmy). The family settled down on Long Island and some of his most cherished memories were his summers spent in Ocean City, NJ. Larry received a B.S. in English from St. Joseph's University and an M.S. in special education from Hofstra University. He went on to complete a J.D. at St. John's University School of Law. He worked as a private practice attorney for ten years then served as chief deputy county attorney at the Nassau County Attorney's Office, where he handed litigation and appeals. He also taught as an adjunct professor at St. John's University School of Law and the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Touro Law Center. Larry went on to serve his community as a Family Court Judge for Nassau County from 1997-2006. During that time, he was elevated to the position of NYS Acting Supreme Court Justice. He was a 2000 recipient of the George M. Estebrook Distinguished Alumni Award of Hofstra University and a past president of the board of directors of the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island. Larry met the love of his life, Suzanne Mary Mahoney, in 1975. They fell madly in love fast and got married the following summer in 1976 and moved into their forever home on Fifth Street in Garden City. Larry took his job in the legal field very seriously, but his most important and proudest job was taking care of his wife and family. Larry and Suzanne's son, Gavin, was born in 1987 and their daughter, Erin, in 1990. From that point on, Larry's life revolved around doing everything for his children. He coached them in many sports and was their biggest fan on and off the field. Some of his children's most cherished memories were the long car rides to and from lacrosse tournaments alone with their dad, listening exclusively to his favorite artist, Bob Dylan, and classical music. Larry was a renaissance man. An avid reader and lover of museums, he loved learning and long conversations about education, politics, and music. He loved the beach (especially the Jersey shore) and spending time at home watching Turner Classic Movies with Suz more than anything. He was proud of his French roots and was a great cook and lover of all desserts. His legacy is the family he built with Suz. He cherished all the accomplishments of his children and his nieces and nephews. His most joyful moments at the end of his life were spending time with his young grandchildren. Gavin and his wife, Lizzie, welcomed their son, Freddie, into the world over two years ago and their daughter, Layla, was born this past November. Erin and her husband, Erik, had their first child, Rosalie (named after Larry's mother), on St. Patrick's Day, shortly after losing Suz. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother. After losing Jimmy, he poured his heart into being a father figure to his daughter, Colleen ("Party Shoes") Brennan Pezzo (John), whom he absolutely adored and her dear son, Connor. He is also survived by the extended McDonnell, Hug, Coffey, Mahoney and Boehmcke families, as well as their best friends, Kathy and Michael Hopkins. He was loving, kind, and fiercely loyal and leaves behind scores of friends and neighbors who loved him. Visitation will be held at Fairchild & Sons, 1201 Franklin Avenue, Garden City, NY, on Monday, February 17, 2025, from 5-8pm and Tuesday, February 18, 2023, from 5-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Anne's Church, 35 Dartmouth St., Garden City, NY, on Wednesday, February 19, at 11:15am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in his honor to the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island (https://www.epicli.org/fundraising/donation/).