James F. Brennan

James F. Brennan, of Newark, Delaware, aged 77 years, died suddenly October 23, 2017 at home. Born in 1939 in Scranton, PA, he was the son of the late Francis E. and Catherine (Shanley) Brennan.

He graduated President of his class from St. Patrick’s High School in Olyphant, along with his sweetheart Mildred Naglak, whom he married in 1962 and with whom he enjoyed 55 years of marriage. In 1961 he earned a B.S. in Chemistry, graduating Cum Laude from the University of Scranton, and in 1965 received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Illinois Institute of Technology. In that same year, Jim started work for the DuPont Company as a Research Chemist. His career at DuPont spanned nearly 40 years, working in Photo Products and Plastics until his retirement in 2004. While at DuPont, Jim was credited as an inventor with several U.S. patents including those related to the development of the “CYREL” flexographic printing plate and one International patent, an apparatus used to encapsulate electric and electronic parts. Active in his community, he made regular donations to the Blood Bank, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.

An avid writing student at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware since 2004, Jim spent the better part of his life on a beautiful search for life’s poetry and found it within Millie’s gaze.

What beauty this that lights the darkest skies.

Is it your soul that sparkles like a gem?

That lights the fire in those azure blue eyes.

Come lie with me, that I might gaze in them.

– J. Brennan, 2005

An intelligent, gentle and kind man, full of good humor, he believed the real value of life was rooted in his love for his wife and family and he demonstrated that love with an unwavering constancy. A doting husband, a beloved father, and spirited grandfather he is survived by his wife Mildred, his three children Sean (Beth), Tim (Leslie) and Kate and seven grandchildren, Liam, Kyle, Luke, Gillian, Cara, Clare and Riley. Also surviving are his stepmother and sister, Florence and Mary Erin Brennan.

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Funeral Services

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Home, 7230 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE. An additional visitation will be held at 9:30 am on Friday, October 27th at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, and Autism Speaks, www.autismspeaks.org.

Condolences

Maryellen Winkler writes,

I was so very sorry to read of Jim's passing in today's newspaper. I was privileged to be a fellow classmate of Jim's in Helen Griffith's poetry writing workshop. I enjoyed reading every beautiful poem he wrote, so many of which were dedicated to his wonderful wife. He was a kind, intelligent, talented man, the sort of person we meet too few of in life. My condolences to his family who must miss him terribly.

10/25/2017 10:19 am

Paul Kennedy writes,

It was a privilege to be one of their high school classmates. Jim and I must be the only small town people to have degrees from IIT (he got his much faster).

10/25/2017 11:22 am

Frank Gay writes,

I like his sense of rhyme and rhythm And I will miss the time the time spent with'im. Frank Gay - a fellow wannbe poet - and ex du Ponter.

10/25/2017 12:53 pm

The Smiths writes,

We wanted to share our condolences with the Brennan family. It is never easy to have to say goodbye to a loved one. The pain of loss can be unbearable. Our Creator promises us that one day this pain will be just a memory. That beautiful promise can be found at Revelation 21:3, 4. Our pain and suffering will be a thing of the past, and we can cry tears of joy as we welcome back the ones that we love so much. We hope you find comfort in those promises.

10/25/2017 01:29 pm

S.J. writes,

I wish to express my deepest condolences to your family. Though words cannot erase the pain you must feel, the God of all comfort can bring you hope during this difficult time. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

10/25/2017 03:26 pm

Penny Piro lit a candle and writes,

Jim was in my poetry class at Osher. I thoroughly enjoyed his presence in the classroom - his cheerful personality, his humor, and his terrific poetry. We will all miss him greatly, for he was an integral part of our group. After reading about his background, I have an even better appreciation of his intelligence, wit, and humanity.

10/26/2017 01:16 pm

Edward O'Bara writes,

Jim and I were fellow chemistry majors at the U of S and survived many long lecture and lab hours to graduate in '61. Butch, farewell until we meet again on the other side. Ed O'Bara (EJ)

10/28/2017 01:40 pm

Kathleen Brennan lit a candle and writes,

Dear Dad, I just wanted to light a candle for you. I miss you so much and I love you forever. Kate

11/14/2017 07:23 am

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