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Edward "Ted" Brennan III
Class of 1986
The following eulogy was delivered by Meghan Daly at a memorial
Mass for Edward Brennan '86 on Sept. 22, 2001, in Sea Girt,
N.J.
 "Ted"
A few days before this terrible tragedy, Ted and I were
talking, and he was lamenting over something-nothing particularly
significant. I encouraged him to make an effort to be more
optimistic about the situation, because I believe that with
a positive outlook, things just fall into place. When we
spoke later in the day, Ted said, "You were right about
what you said. I do have a lot to be happy about. And as
long as we're together, everything will be OK."
In the days immediately following Sept. 11, I was tortured
by these words. I thought, "How can I go on without
him? How can things ever be OK again?" But through the
tremendous support from my family and the Brennan family,
as well as from so many friends, and the strength I attribute
to having received from Ted himself, these words have taken
on a much greater meaning for me. Ted is not gone. I choose
not to speak of him in the past tense. His soul and spirit-the
embodiment of everything he is and everything we love about
him-is with us still. He has touched each one of us in very
unique ways, as he will continue to do for the rest of our
lives. It is now up to us to keep his spirit alive.
To Ted's classmates from Portsmouth Abbey and Holy Cross:
He made such a great effort to keep in close and frequent
contact with so many of you. He will continue to speak with
you every day, reminiscing with you about your days together
in school, hearing about your lives and your families, your
golf games, and your picks for the games this weekend.
To all the guys with whom he plays golf: You have been fortunate
enough to share some of his most cherished times with him.
I have always teased him that golf is his true love. He will
be with you on those Saturday and Sunday mornings, wearing
his black socks and enjoying his greatest passion.
To his many friends from the Shore: He will always be right
there with you at the Parker House, laughing and having a
wonderful time. He will continue to partake in your Fantasy
Football and Baseball Leagues, no doubt assuring you that
his picks are much better than yours.
To some of his best friends and golfing partners, Jerry
Power, Gordy Van Note and Rick Smith, Ted will never leave
your sides. He will forever be with you, especially on the
golf course. When you play a great game, he will celebrate
with you. And when you have a bad game, he will most likely
critique you, telling you that you are a "bunch of hacks."
To his dear friend, Mike Giblin, Ted will continue to share
everything with you-life at the Shore, following the Mets,
raising Quinn. You will feel his presence always, and he
will keep reminding you that you and Jackie are obligated
to host more barbecues.
To Mrs. Gallagher, Ted's grandmother, Mimi, he will always
regard you with the utmost adoration and respect, as a pillar
of love and strength for your family.
To his sisters and brothers-in law, Sheila and Phil, Amy
and Pete, Beth and Bill, Ted will be with you always. He
will continue to make you laugh and tease you in his brotherly
way. He will watch over Michael, Christopher and Caroline
as a loving uncle, and remind all of you that it is essential
to get your children on the golf course early because that's
the only way they'll ever be any good.
To Dr. and Mrs. Brennan, Ted will never leave you. Dr. Brennan,
Ted will continue to look to you with a tremendous amount
of admiration and love. You will always be his hero, as a
golfer, a father and a friend. Mrs. Brennan, he will continue
to share that unique and special bond that has always kept
you so close. He will always be an adoring son, celebrating
with you in all the wonderful occasions your family has yet
to experience. And, of course, he will always remind you
to keep the air conditioner on full-blast and to put more
garlic in whatever it is that you are cooking.
For me, Ted will be next to me when I'm sitting on the couch
in my apartment, drinking from his monstrous glass of ice
water and eating Doritos. He will be with me when I go to
the beach, telling me to wear sunblock on my "pale Irish
skin" (like he should talk). He will be with me when
I go to work each morning, telling me to "knock 'em
dead, hon." He will be with me wherever I go.
Ted is not a saint. But he is an angel. He is an angel for
all of us-a beautiful angel with a loving and honest heart,
a fiery temper, and an amazingly quick wit. He has touched
us all in so many ways. He loves us and only wants happiness
for us. If we continue to keep him in our hearts and minds,
he will always be with us, experiencing our joys and sorrows.
Please don't think of Ted as gone. His spirit is with us
more than ever now.
The following is a quote by Isla Richardson that captures
the way I hope we can do justice to Ted's spirit.
Grieve not ...
Nor speak of me with tears ...
But laugh and talk of me ...
As though I were beside you ...
I loved you so ....
'Twas heaven here with you ...
Ted, as I have told you so many times before, I will love
you forever, sweetheart. You will always be right beside
me, giving me the strength to deal with all that life holds
for me and inspiring me to be the best person I can be. And
I know that as long as we are together, everything will always
be OK.
"I can't think of anyone who brought more laughter
into my life. Ted had a truly rare gift that way. Even as
we drove down to Sea Girt for his memorial service, our gang
couldn't stop laughing as we told stories of his Holy Cross
antics and his unique way of expressing himself."
Pat McCarthy '85
Ted was a difference-maker in every room he was ever in.
Apart from being a funny and entertaining person, he was,
most importantly, a true blue and loyal friend with a heart
as big as his biceps. I could call five, six times a day,
having nothing to say, only wanting conversation. Sometimes
Ted only had 10 seconds (to talk), but that 10 seconds was
always good."
John Hexamer '86
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