Edward (Ed, Eddie) Joseph Brennan of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully in his home on January 23, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 28, 1937, to Anna (Martin) Brennan and Thomas Francis Brennan, MD, in Lawrence, MA.
Eddie attended Keith Academy High School and then Lowell Technological Institute, both in Lowell, MA. It was during his time at Lowell Tech that Eddie met his future wife, Paulette, whom he adored. Paulette was everything to him, the most beautiful, intelligent, and creative woman in the world. He claimed their relationship had a major influence on his academic success and helped him complete ROTC training and his degree in Engineering. Following graduation, and his marriage to Paulette, he served as an officer in the United States Air Force stationed in San Antonio, TX and Rantoul, IL. He was proud of his military service and credited the Air Force with helping him develop leadership skills that served him throughout the remainder of his life. Upon completion of his military service, Eddie received an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain.
After the Air Force, Eddie and Paulette moved to Wilmington, DE, where he began a lengthy career at Scott Paper Company in Chester, PA. Eddie was dedicated to his job and genuinely enjoyed the challenges of work and the people at Scott. He had fond memories of his time spent with work friends and colleagues. During these years Eddie and Paulette raised their nine children. Their home was a welcome place, and the door was always open. Their children’s friends considered the Brennan’s like a second home. After retirement from Scott, Eddie continued to work for his new bosses, Paulette, and his grandchildren, doing whatever they needed whenever they needed it. He also enjoyed a second career working alongside Paulette at Garden Valley Nursery.
His family and faith were the most important things in Eddie’s life. He and Paulette shared many simple joys of family life. One of their favorite past times was working in the garden and taking long walks together. Unknown to some, Eddie enjoyed riding his (now vintage) bicycle. He was also a dedicated runner. In his prime, Eddie would run 25-30 miles a week or more, mostly during his lunch hour at work. He and Paulette were long-time parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. They valued Catholic education and sacrificed to provide a 12-year Catholic education for all their children. He and Paulette also loved time at the beach with family and experienced many joyful moments on Long Beach in Rockport, MA and their home in Sea Colony, Bethany Beach, DE. Of course, above all, they cherished the time spent with their grandkids.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Eddie is survived by his children, Mary Anna (Robert Costa), Ellen (John Spoehr), Joseph (Amy Eyberger), Jonathan, Martina (Rich Hanrahan), Bridget (Rich Moon), Kathleen, Alicia (Eddie Swiatek), and Eddie; as well as his grandchildren, Luke and Emma Spoehr; Nicholas, Lily, and Anna Moon; Isabella Hanrahan; William and Ainsley Swiatek; and Peter Brennan.
Eddie is also survived by his sisters, Eleana Brennan and Patricia Dartley; sisters-in-law, Suzanne Brennan and Maureen Thereault; brother-in-law, John Thereault; his nieces and nephews, Maura Dartley-Rocco, Suzanne Dawn, Michelle Carr, John Thereault, Francine Bliss, Gregory Thereault, and MaryBeth Lagasse, as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Paulette; his infant son, Christopher; his in-laws, Paul and Jeanette Thereault; his brother, Thomas “Billy” Brennan, his brothers-in-law, Robert Thereault and Walter “Jay” Dartley, and his sister-in-law, Mary Thereault.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 10 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Rd., Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow promptly at 11 am. Burial will be at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church Cemetery, Greenville, DE.
In remembrance of Eddie, please consider donating blood to the Blood Bank of Delmarva, www.delmarvablood.org/support-us/ or your local Red Cross.
For online condolences visit:www.mccreryandharra.com
