Former Fire Commissioner E. Gaynor Brennan, Jr. Dies at 80

Lawyer and former city fire commissioner E. Gaynor Brennan, Jr., whose career spanned more than 50 years, died Sunday at the age of 80.

Brennan began practicing law in Connecticut in 1956, first practicing with his father and the late Melvin M. Dichter and later with Richard F. Comerford, Jr. and John F. Leydon, Jr. Brennan continued working as The Brennan Law Firm up until his death.

Brennan was appointed as fire commissioner of the city of Stamford in 1969 by then-mayor Julius Wilensky. Under his term, the new as well as The Charles R. McRedmond Training and Maintenance Center were built. 

Brennan also served as Petitioner's Representative in the Superior Court for 25 years and retired in 1988. In 1990, he ran for state attorney general, but lost to Richard Blumenthal.

Brennan was born in Stamford on August 20, 1930, the son of the late E. Gaynor Brennan, Sr. and Frances Cleary Brennan. He graduated from Fairfield Preparatory School in 1948, took a post graduate year at Canterbury School and then graduated from Georgetown University in 1953. He then enrolled in Fordham Law School and graduated 1956.

He is survived by his wife Pat of 56 years and 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 also survived by 14 grandchildren and his sister Frances "Sis" Healy of New Canaan.

In addition to his parents, Brennan Jr. was predeceased by his brothers, Donald C. Brennan and Paul S. Brennan.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, March 23 from 3-8 pm at .

A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, March 24 at at 10:30 a.m. 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.