Feb. 4, 1999
 Edward
J. Brennan Jr., 68, died Feb. 4 at his home in Naples, Fla.
"Ed was one of those rare people who could touch both your mind and your heart," says
Frank Vellaccio, acting president. "He was a dear and loyal friend to Holy Cross
and an example of graduate as role model. He brought intellectual and moral leadership
to his business and community and love to his family."
Brennan was a founding member of the Cornerstone, giving more than $1 million
to Holy Cross in his lifetime. He also was a lifetime member of the President's
Council and established the James J. Shea Sr. and Barbara Shea Brennan Scholarship
Fund at the College.
Mr. Brennan, who lived in Longmeadow and Springfield, Mass., for many years,
had owned and operated Brennan College Services Inc. in Springfield, since
1967. A textbook distribution company, his firm handled operations for more
than 70 institutions including Springfield Technical Community College, Western
New England College, Springfield College, Mount Holyoke College and Smith College.
After the sale of his company in 1991, Mr. Brennan and his wife, Judith, donated
the company's corporate headquarters building to Springfield College which
now uses the facility for its Health Services. Previously, he had worked for
the General Electric Corp. and the Milton Bradley Co., also in Springfield.
Mr. Brennan had been an officer in the Navy from 1952 to 1956. A 1948 graduate
of Cathedral High School in Springfield, he earned his bachelor of science
degree from Holy Cross in 1952.
Active in community service, Mr. Brennan was a former trustee of Elms College
in Chicopee, the Wilbrahm-Monson Academy, the Springfield Library and Museums
Association, the Visiting Nurses Association and the Springfield YMCA. In addition,
he had been a trustee of the Naval War College Foundation, past director of
the Bank of New England-West, Taylor Rental Corp. and Hampden Savings Bank.
He also belonged to the Knights of Malta.
Mr. Brennan is survived by his wife, Judith; four sons; six daughters; sons-in-law,
including W. Kelly Collins Jr. '74; two brothers; 21 grandchildren; and nieces
and nephews, including Paul E. Brennan '81. His first wife, Barbara,
died in 1979.
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