Dr. Michael James "Doc" Brennan, Jr

Dr. Michael James "Doc" Brennan, Jr., passed away on November 29, 2014 at the Rhode Island Veteran's Home in Bristol, RI. The wake will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at the Memorial Funeral Home - 375 Broadway - Newport, RI from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral services will be conducted at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 12 William Street, Newport, RI on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 10am. A graveside interment service with full military honors will follow in St. Columba Catholic Cemetery located at 465 Brown's Lane, Middletown, RI.Dr. Brennan was born in Newport, RI on February 18, 1935 to Michael J. Brennan Sr. and Isabel (Frazier) Brennan. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Brennan, his children, Michael J. Brennan III, Stephen P. Brennan, Kevin F. Brennan, Christopher S. Brennan and his daughter, Susan A. Brennan Beard, his former wife and mother of his children, Anne M. (Buckley) Collins. He is the grandfather to four grandsons and six granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his parents.Dr. Brennan was a lifelong Rhode Islander and a lifelong resident of Newport. He grew up in the 5th ward of Newport and graduated from De La Salle High School in 1952. He attended The College of The Holy Cross of Worcester, MA and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He continued his education at Tufts University in Boston, MA where he graduated in 1960 with a Doctorate in Dentistry. Dr. Brennan then joined the US Army Medical Corp and served two years active duty and six years in the US Army Reserve. He separated from the US Army with an honorable discharge in 1968. Dr. Brennan practiced Dentistry in the US Army and in Newport, RI until the late 1980s. Additionally, he provided dental consultancy to the Ladd School in Exeter, RI.Dr. Brennan retired from dentistry and discovered a new passion as a school teacher. He worked for the Portsmouth School System and also donated his time as a baseball and golf coach. He loved teaching young people about Science and was especially passionate about Astronomy and Oceanography.Dr. Brennan's sense of service to community was evident in his participation with many organizations and stewardship activities. He was an inactive 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians and a member of the Kiwanis Club. He served as Chairman of the Heart Association fund raising efforts in 1976. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1976 and was involved in politics at the local, county and state level for many years. Dr. Brennan had a strong Catholic faith and was very active as a lector at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.In his leisure, Dr. Brennan was an avid golfer and lifetime member of Wanumetonomy Golf Club in Middletown, RI. He was a huge New England sports fan and passed on his passion for the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics to his children.The Brennan family wishes to thank the staff at the Rhode Island Veteran's Home in Bristol, RI for the loving care they provided. In lieu of flowers and in accordance with Dr. Brennan's wishes, please send donations to either The College of the Holy Cross Alumni Association c/o The College of the Holy Cross, P.O. Box DEV, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610 or St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 12 William Street, Newport, RI 02840. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation DEC 4. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service DEC 5. 10:00 AM St. Marys Catholic Church 12 William Street Newport, RI, US, 02840