E. Gaynor Brennan Jr.

Mr. E. Gaynor Brennan, Jr. of Shippan Point, Stamford, a lawyer whose career spanned more than 50 years died suddenly March 20th with his family by his side. He was the husband of Patricia Merritt Brennan.

Mr. Brennan was born in Stamford on August 20, 1930, the son of the late E. Gaynor Brennan, Sr. and Frances Cleary Brennan. Mr. Brennan graduated from Fairfield Prep, Class of 1948, where he was a member of the varsity basketball and football teams, he took a post graduate year at Canterbury School and then to Georgetown University where he graduated in 1953 and then to Fordham Law School, graduating in 1956.

The day following his graduation from law school, June 14, 1956, Mr. Brennan was admitted to practice law in Connecticut. He began the practice of law with his father and the late, Melvin M. Dichter, and the firm became known as Brennan, Dichter & Brennan. After the death of E. Gaynor Brennan, Sr., Richard F. Comerford, Jr. joined the firm in 1975 and the firm became known as Brennan, Dichter, Brennan & Comerford. In 1981 Melvin M. Dichter retired from the firm. Mr. Brennan was later joined by John F. Leydon, Jr. in 1995 and the firm became known as Brennan & Leydon. He continued working as The Brennan Law Firm up until his death.

Mr. Brennan held several positions in the City of Stamford, among them was the Fire Commissioner for which he was the chairman under Mayor Julius Wilensky and Mayor Stanley Esposito and Vice Chairman under Mayor Dannel Malloy. He was most proud of the fact that during his first term on the Commission, the new central headquarters was built, The Charles R. McRedmond Training and Maintenance Center was built and the land was acquired for the Woodside station and put out for bid. Upon his retirement from the Fire Commission, the Stamford Fire and Rescue Department honored Mr. Brennan for his dedicated and loyal service to the department.

In 2002 Mr. Brennan was honored by the Police Association of Connecticut (PAC) for his dedicated service to the men and women of PAC. Mr. Brennan was counsel to the Association for 40 years.

Mr. Brennan was a member of the Stamford Yacht Club for over 50 years, served on Board of Directors for almost 25 years, and was the longest serving director in the Club history. In 2009 he was awarded the Chester G. Rice Medal given for his significant contribution to The Stamford Yacht Club.

Mr. Brennan was honored in 1997 by being named “Man of the Year” by the State Street Debating Society.

Mr. Brennan was a former member and President of the All Stamford Club, a director of the Stamford Firefighter Burn Foundation, a former director of the Stamford Downtown Service District, and Charter Revision (1979,) He served as Petitioner’s Representative in the Superior Court for 25 years, retiring in 1988. In 1990, he ran for Attorney General losing to Richard Blumenthal.

Gaynor was an avid tennis and paddle player. He loved sports and was a longtime Dodger fan and on December 7, 1941 he was at the Polo Grounds for the Dodgers Giants Football game.

In addition to his wife, Pat, of 56 years, Gaynor is survived by his nine children, Trish Edwards and her husband, Don, of Holmes Beach, Florida, E. Gaynor Brennan, III of Stamford, Thomas M. Brennan of Fairfield, J. Ward Brennan of Stamford, Ann Brady and her husband, Michael (Harry) of Westport, Barbara Nicholas of Fairfield, Maryellen O’Mahony and her husband, Bob, of New Canaan, Barry Brennan and his wife, Claire of Darien, and Christopher Brennan of Norwalk and Mary Jane Michael of Stamford.

He is survived by fourteen grandchildren, Ellison Brennan, E. Gaynor Brennan, IV, Sean Edwards, Patrick Edwards, Bennett Brady, Beau Brady, Casey Nicholas, Claire Nicholas, Sam O’Mahony, Tatum O’Mahony, Schuyler O’Mahony, Connor Brennan, Jack Brennan and Maeve Brennan. He is also survived by his sister, Frances “Sis” Healy of New Canaan, and in addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Donald C. Brennan and Paul S. Brennan.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 3-8 pm at The Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home 2900 Summer St Stamford, CT 06905. A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, March 24th at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church 566 Elm Street Stamford, CT at 10:30 a.m. (Please note location of mass has been changed to St Mary’s Church) Burial will follow at St John Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Stamford Firefighter Burn Foundation c/o Deputy Chief Timothy D. Conroy, Central Station, 629 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT or The State Street Debating Society Membership Fund, c/o Terrence M. Cooke, P. O. Box 1356, Stamford, CT 06904. For more information, please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com