Robert Brennan M.D.

Robert Brennan, M.D.
Utica
Robert D. Brennan, M.D., died on August 3, 2012, at the age of 87, with his loving wife and family around him. He was born in Utica, the son of Federal Judge Stephen W. Brennan and Ethel (Mara) Brennan. He attended local schools and graduated in 1942 from St. Francis de Sales High School. He attended the University of Notre Dame for a year before entering the United States Navy in 1943. After serving as a pharmacist's mate for three years, he was honorably discharged and returned to complete his studies at Notre Dame. He graduated in 1949 and went on to New York Medical College for four years, followed by three years as a pediatric resident at Rochester General and Strong Memorial Hospitals. In 1956, he began his pediatric practice in Utica; by the 60s and 70s, his was the area's largest pediatric practice. He married Margaret Haley in Utica on the hottest June day in 1949, the start of a long and blessed union of 63 years. They were proud parents of eight much-loved children: Kathleen (Michael) Burton of Trumansburg, NY; Anne (Robert) Carroll of West Hartford, CT; Joan of Utica, NY; Margaret (James) Gribouski of Sutton, MA; Susan Dressler of Johnsonville, NY; Robert (Susan Nicosia) Brennan, Jr., of Austin, TX; Stephen (Susan South) Brennan of Albany, OR; and Martha Brennan of Galway, NY. There are twenty-four grandchildren: Andrew, Daniel, Nora and Stephen Burton, Emily Miner, Timothy and Colin Carroll, Siobhan and Connor Woods, Shaun, Sarah, Eileen and Jeffrey Gribouski, Stephanie, Jackie and Elizabeth Dressler, Natalie and Caroline Brennan, Emma and Maggie Brennan, and Haley, Charles, Max and Evan Morgan. Additionally, there are two great-grandchildren, Keira and Lucas Burton. Dr. Brennan was active in his profession: he was a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and served as president of St. Elizabeth Hospital medical staff, president of the Oneida County Medical Society, chief of pediatrics for combined St. Elizabeth and St. Luke's Pediatrics, and was in charge of pediatric training for the St. Elizabeth Family Practice Program. He was a member of the Utica Medical Club and the Central New York Pediatric Club. Additionally, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post, the Elks Club and the Notre Dame Club of the Mohawk Valley. Dr. Brennan was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of Insight House. He received many awards for his contributions to his profession and his community, including ones from the University of Notre Dame, Insight House and The Good Samaritan Counseling Center. Along with Margaret, he was a long-time parishioner of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, and also served in the funeral ministry at St. Peter's Church in North Utica. In addition to his wife and children, Dr. Brennan is survived by his sisters-in-law, Rosemary Brennan and Lorraine Haley, and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Stephen W. Brennan, Jr.; two sisters, Anne Marie Brennan and Harriet Brennan Boehlert; and two sons-in-law, Frank Woods and Christopher Dressler. Dr. Brennan prided himself on being known as a caring, conscientious pediatrician. He gave shots without pain, called all the kiddos "Tiger", spoke to the animals in their ears and could feel their tummies and tell them what they had for lunch. He loved Margaret, his family and Notre Dame. Some of his favorite things were backyard clambakes, Watkins Glen and Ed and Edith, freezing over the lawn to make a skating rink, sunsets at Kayuta Lake, martinis, the Sunday crossword puzzle and life. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Nunn & McGrath Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd., Utica. Funeral services will be Monday at 11:30 a.m. from the funeral home and 12:30 p.m. from the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Clinton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a remembrance in Dr. Brennan's name to St. Elizabeth Medical Center or Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The Brennan family extends their gratitude to Dr. Tom Ryan, Dr. Alicia Detraglia and Dr. Christopher Clark for their expert care, kindness and compassion shown to Dr. Brennan over the years. This is a quotation he chose: "And can it be that, in a world so full and busy, the loss of one creature makes a void in our hearts so wide and so deep that nothing but the width and depth of eternity can fill it up?" (Charles Dickens) messages of sympathy at www.nunnandmcgrath.com