William J. Brennan

Surrounded by his loving family, William Brennan, 87, of North Syracuse, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Born in Somerville, Massachusetts on Saturday, April 18, 1925, to Richard and Margaret (Hartnett) Brennan, he entered the Navy in 1943, and was assigned to the Armed Guard Communication Unit bringing troops and supplies to North Africa and the Mediterranean. After his discharge, Bill attended The Ohio State University on the GI Bill, graduating in 1949. He retired from Nationwide Insurance Companies as regional personnel and public relations manager after 41 years. He obtained the CLU designation. Always generous with his time, Bill volunteered for many organizations over the years. He was the first president of Syracuse Chapter of Literacy Volunteers, a loaned executive for the United Way, delivered food for Meals on Wheels, and served a term as president of the Administrative Management Society. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in North Syracuse. Bill was a wonderful joke and storyteller. He relished recounting his favorites even though he said he often forgot to whom he had told them. He loved a good book and a good drink. A voracious reader, he read widely on many topics and was our “in-house Google.” Bill was predeceased by his brother, Richard Brennan; and brother-in-law, Edward McGuiness. Surviving are his wife of 24 years, Virginia “Ginny”; daughters, Cathleen Patterelli, Kerry Racculia, Megan (Geoff) Graham, Amy Brennan (Chris Belanga), and Deborah (Wes) Weiss; sisters, Ellen McGuiness of South Hamilton, Massachusetts and Margaret Brennan of Somerville, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Jacob Kesler, Jessica (Tim) Phillips, Frank, Richard and Gina Racculia, Lilliah Brennan and Matthew Heidemann; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends may call Wednesday, January 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Services will be Thursday, January 24 at 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home and 11 a.m. in St. Rose of Lima Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Bill will be laid to rest in North Syracuse Cemetery. Contributions may be made to St. Dismas Fund, P.O. Box 757, Dannemora, NY 12929.