Arthur Francis Brennan of Houghs Neck, Quincy, formerly of East Walpole, passed away peacefully at his home on July 29th. He was 94.
Born in Boston, MA on December 12, 1926, Arthur was the son of the late Harry & Mary (Blais) Brennan. He was the husband of the late Jane Ann “Jean” (Stewart) Brennan. They were married for 56 years before she unexpectedly passed.
Arthur had always wanted to join the service with his father and brothers however he wasn’t old enough. He took it upon himself to forge his birth certificate and joined the Maritime Service. His first ship took him to England and then to Scotland where he met his future wife. Had he not followed his heart, he would have never met his wife, Jane Ann “Jean”. Jean was the love of his life. She was born in Grennock, Scotland and worked as a crane operator in the Scotland shipyard. Arthur served in the Merchant Marines and when his ship was being repaired in Scotland in 1943 during World War II, he attended a local dance where he met Jean. They only dated for two weeks before he reboarded his ship and departed Scotland. Arthur traveled half the world. His ships took him to Wales, France, Germany, Belgium, South America, North Africa and West Indies. They kept in touch and wrote to each other often. A year later Arthur’s ship docked in Liverpool, England and he went back to Scotland to see her for one day. After the war and having to go through a lot of red tape due to Merchant Marines not being recognized as veterans at the time, together they returned to West Roxbury where they were married on May 17, 1947, at St Theresa’s Church. Arthur and Jean resided in East Walpole raising their five boys and one daughter for many years. Arthur worked for the Transit Authority for 30 years before retiring to his home on the water in Houghs Neck in 1977.
In his spare time, he took to the seas. He was an avid fisherman and lobsterman. He loved the ocean, enjoyed fishing and tending to his lobster traps on his boat. His taught his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all the respect and love for the water and boats. He was a member of the Quincy Yacht Club and Town River Yacht Club. He entered several fishing derbies and contests with his children and grandchildren. He took great pride in his trophies and awards he received for winning the contests. During all his fishing trips, he spent the passing time sharing his stories about his life and travels.
Arthur is survived by his four children; Jane Anne Sullivan of Quincy, Robert Brennan and his wife, Sue, of Maine, Paul Brennan of Medfield, and Leo Brennan and his wife, Wendy, of East Walpole. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Stewart and Arthur Brennan.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Mass on Friday, September 10 at St. Mary’s Church in East Walpole at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.
In lieu of flowers, his family request that donations be made in his memory to a charity of one’s choice.