Eugene V. Brennan III, 87, a longtime resident of Middletown, peacefully passed away Jan. 17, 2025, with his family by his side.
Gene was born Aug. 31, 1937, in Clarington, Pennsylvania, the eldest of eight children of the late Margaret and Eugene Brennan Jr. He was raised in Oreland, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Springfield High School. He attended Millersville University before serving his country with honor in the United States Navy with Fighter Squadron 935 during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
In 1962, Gene married the love of his life, Irene Kelly. In 1965, after their daughter Tracy was diagnosed with amblyopia (lazy eye), Gene used a test that would screen children for this condition and became the chairman for the state of Pennsylvania.
Gene had a long career with the Woolworth Company. He managed five stores and was the district manager for three districts. In 1963, his name was listed in “Outstanding Young Men of America.” Gene’s career caused his young family to relocate many times up and down the East Coast, but they finally settled in Middletown in 1975, when Gene began working at Woolworth’s executive offices in New York City.
After retiring from Woolworth, Gene owned several businesses, including E.V. Brennan and Associates.
Gene was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Mary’s in Middletown. He wholeheartedly believed in the Catholic tradition of being charitable toward others. He was very involved with the church on a daily basis: as a eucharistic minister for 26 years and as an altar server at the 8:15 Mass for 16 years. He attended the Nocturnal Perpetual Adoration at St. James Parish in Red Bank for 28 years. Once St. Mary’s began offering it in 1997, he attended there. Msgr. Mike Walsh, former pastor of St. Mary’s, asked Gene to be a campaign co-chairman for building the new church. It was Gene’s idea to include a tribute to Msgr. Mike, so he raised money for the Good Shepherd in the narthex of the church. Gene’s extensive knowledge of St. Mary’s Parish led him to compile the book “Catholic Community of St. Mary, Mother of God Church.”
Gene’s charitable causes extended beyond the church. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus for over 59 years and volunteered with the Barn for the Poorest of the Poor, delivering food to the neediest communities in New York City for 20 years. The Harbor House could count on Gene to be a part of their support group during their annual 400-mile bike ride.
Gene will always be remembered as a good husband, great father, devoted grandfather, faithful Catholic, loyal friend and neighbor to many.
Gene was predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Irene (Kelly) Brennan, in 1999 and their son Christopher in 2020. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Nancy and Eugenia.
Gene is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Mark Spece, and three grandsons, Joshua, Luke and Daniel. Gene also leaves behind three sisters, Margaret “Peggy” Jordan, Judy Wisecarver and Betsy Brennan, along with two brothers, John Brennan and Timothy Brennan, all of Pennsylvania, and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family members and his dear friend of over 23 years, Mary Pat Thompson.
Gene loved his church, his family and his friends. They paid their respects Jan. 30 at Scott & Kedz Home for Funerals, Belford. A Mass of Christian Burial followed at St. Mary’s in Middletown. A private cremation took place and Gene’s ashes were buried alongside his wife and son at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Barn for the Poorest of the Poor, 39 Bayberry Lane, Middletown, NJ 07748; Covenant House at covenanthousenj.org; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org; or Memorial Sloan Kettering at mskcc.org.
The article originally appeared in the February 6 – 12, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
