John W. Brennan

October 25, 1921 - July 15, 2018

John W. Brennan, “Jack”, age 96 of King of Prussia, a retired Upper Merion Police Lieutenant and founding Fire Chief of King of Prussia Fire Company, died on Sunday, July 15th, 2018. He was born in Bridgeport on October 25, 1921 son of the late William and Susannah (Cassidy) Brennan. He was the beloved husband of Janice (Houser) Brennan for 71 years. Jack was born and raised in Bridgeport. He attended St. Augustine grade school and graduated from Bridgeport High School, Class of 1939 where he was a member of the undefeated Varsity Football team. After High School, he answered the call of his country at the advent of WWII enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He was a decorated combat veteran of the Pacific Theater stationed in bases throughout the Marianas Islands. He fought with the Marine Corps 3rd division holding the rank of Corporal. His civil service was called upon again when the Upper Merion Township Police asked Jack to join the police force, thus beginning his 36 year career as a police officer. He retired from the Upper Merion Police Department in 1986 as Lieutenant. After having his home severely damaged by fire, in part because there was no fire department in King of Prussia, Jack went through the proper channels and was pivotal in starting the King of Prussia Fire Dept. He served as the founding fire chief and also purchased the company’s first truck. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting in the mountains with friends at The Ten Star Sportsman’s Club, and fishing at the family vacation home in Ocean City, NJ. He was an active member of the AOH Notre Dame Division 1 in Swedesburg having been honored as Grand Marshal in 2005. Jack was also Grand Marshal for the Upper Merion Tricentennial, as well as a recipient of the Chapel of Four Chaplains Award. Despite all his great achievements and decorations, Jack was proud of his Irish heritage, at the end of the day, a family man. Beside his wife, Janice, he is survived by: a son, Michael (Maryann) of Gilbertsville; 2 daughters, Jacquelyn (Tim) Sally of King of Prussia and Sally Modica of Sanatoga; 2 sisters, Jean Cameron of Roswell, Georgia and Susan Leigh of Spring City; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: 4 brothers, William, Martin, Joseph and Thomas; 2 sisters, Elizabeth Bowe and Marie Nihill. Relatives and friends may pay respects on Friday morning, July 20th, from 9am-10:50am at Mother of Divine Providence Church, Allendale Road, King of Prussia. Mass will commence in the church at 11am. Interment is private at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to: Travis Manion Foundation, www.travismanion.org. Professional arrangements are by the William A. Moore Funeral Home, 708 Fayette St., Conshohocken.