David Brennan

1943 - 2016

Brother David Edward Brennan F.S.C.

Brother David Edward Brennan, F.S.C., a Brother of the Christian Schools since 1961 and a member of the District of San Francisco New Orleans has died in Napa, California of Alzheimer's and its complications on February 15, 2016.
He was born on June 21, 1943 in San Francisco to the late John Joseph Brennan and the late Iolene Grace Guichard Brennan, and was raised in Saint Gabriel's Parish, San Francisco. David graduated from Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco in 1961. After graduating, he received an A.S. from L.A. Trade Tech College in Los Angeles in 1966, and a B.A. in Business from Golden Gate University in San Francisco in 1973. In 2003, the University of Saint LaSalle in the Philippines bestowed him with a Hon. Causa, Doctor of Law.
Brother David entered the Novitiate of the Brothers of the Christian Schools at Napa, California on July 9, 1961 and received the Religious Habit on January 24, 1962. On June 21, 1968, he pronounced his Final Vows at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, California. Brother David distinguished himself in various assignments throughout the years as Teacher, Dean, Principal, Finance Officer, and similar positions of responsibility. The places he served include De LaSalle High School in Concord, Saint Mary's College High School, Berkeley, where Brennan Hall is named after him, Saint Mary's Residence School, Napa, the Provincial Residence, Lafayette, as Treasurer and Director of Finance for the province, and De La Salle House in St. Helena as President of Mont La Salle Vineyards. During his time as President of the winery, he built up the business and oversaw the consolidation of resources through the sale of the winery in 1989, along with the long-term lease arrangement with Hess Collection for the vineyard and winery production property at Mont La Salle.
In 1995, the Superior General of the Brothers, Brother John Johnston, appointed Brother David as the Brother Visitor, also known as the Provincial, who is the District's chief Pastoral and Administrative Officer. He served in that capacity for two 4-year terms, until 2003. He then moved to Sacred Heart-Cathedral High School where he served as Director of the Brothers' Community and Chairman of the LaSallian Education Fund Board of Trustees.
Brother David moved to Mont La Salle in Napa in 2006 while retaining the position of Chairman of the LaSallian Education Fund Board of Trustees, eventually retiring from that position in 2008.
He was predeceased in life by his sister, Carol. He is survived by his brother John J. Brennan, Jr. and his sister-in-law, Kathy Brennan of Walnut Creek, California. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives, along with many friends.
Funeral services will be held at Mont La Salle Chapel, 4405 Redwood Road, Napa, CA, on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Viewing will be at 9:30 AM, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. Burial immediately follows at the Brothers Cemetery at Mont La Salle.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LEF (Lasallian Education Fund) 4401 Redwood Road, Napa, California 94558.