Obituary of Honourable W.R. Brennan

After a debilitating stroke in October 2006 and a courageous battle for recovery, Bill passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at the age of 84 years. Bill was born on August 17, 1922 to Hugh and Margaret Brennan in Veteran, Alberta. In June of 1941 he decided to join the R.C.A.F and was later assigned to the RAF (Affiliated to the R.C.A.F). At the tender age of eighteen Bill became the youngest of his crew in a Lancaster Bomber and went on as a pilot to complete thirty-one missions with squadron 166. Bill received the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross). Upon his return to Calgary in 1943 Bill met his beloved wife Mary-Jane Steinbach; they married in 1946. Bill and his new wife then moved to Edmonton where he attended Law School at the University of Alberta. Upon graduation Bill articled at Fenerty and Company thus embarking on a very long and distinguished career in Law. This included receiving his QC, and his appointment to the Court of Queens Bench in 1976. Bill served as an exemplary member of the Bench. In 1995 Bill retired from Law in order to spend more time with his beloved wife Mary-Jane. They spent many happy years golfing and enjoying their many friends at the Calgary Golf and Country Club. As a mediocre golfer, Bill took great joy in knowing that he could only get better. He enjoyed his weekly luncheons and other events with the members of the Air Crew Association (Southern Alberta Branch). Bill and Mary-Jane loved to go on cruises and this took them to many different parts of the world. Bill was an avid reader throughout his life and he always enjoyed a good crossword puzzle. Bill’s greatest joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who lovingly called him “Bampi”. Bill is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Laurie and Michael O’Neill of Victoria, BC, daughter and son-in-law Kerry Brennan and Kelly Flock, his son and daughter-in-law Dennis and Lynne Brennan all of Calgary and by daughter and son-in-law Janie Brennan and Peter Evans of Markham, ON. Bill will also be lovingly remembered by his seven grandchildren, Grady, Patrick, Reilly, Kerry, Casey, Erin and Mallory; his two step grandchildren, Kendra and Morgan; his three great grandchildren, Padraic, Claire and Griffin; two sisters Peggy Fowler-Ferguson, Rita Grier and his brother Pat. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary-Jane and by his brother Don. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (5340 – 4th Street S.W.) on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th St. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Foothills Medical Centre, Stroke Unit and the Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre. We wish to acknowledge each and every staff member at the Colonel Belcher Veterans Care Centre for all of the compassionate and empathetic care afforded to Dad and our family during his stay. In living memory of Bill Brennan a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.