Obituary for Richard E. Brennan
Richard E. Brennan (‘Dick’), 80, of Caldwell, NJ passed away peacefully on March 18, 2022, surrounded by his wife, daughters, and brother by his side. A loving and devoted father, husband, brother, and friend, Dick was an extremely kind and loyal man, known for his brilliant mind, courtroom excellence, incredible sense of humor and extraordinary wit. But nothing compared to the love he felt for his wife, daughters, and beloved grandchildren, all of whom were the center of his universe.
Dick was born on December 2, 1941, in Orange, NJ where he was recognized early on for his keen intellect. He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School at 16 years old and received his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University in 1962.After college, Dick served as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC and San Antonio, TX (1962-64). During his military service he received a scholarship to Seton Hall Law School where he graduated first in his class (1967). He practiced law as a litigator for over 52 years with the law firms of Shanley and Fisher (later merged with Drinker, Biddle and Reath) and McElroy Deutsch, Mulvaney and Carpenter. On October 7, 1967, he married his wife Pam and together they raised four daughters.
Dick was involved in local politics, serving as a Caldwell Councilman from 1971- 1973 and Chairman of the Caldwell Zoning Board of Adjustment. From 1974-1976 he was Chairman of The Bridge in West Caldwell, a nonprofit community-based organization.
Dick was a Certified Civil Trial Attorney with the NJ Supreme Court and instrumental in several significant, precedent-setting appeals. He was widely acknowledged by his peers as one of New Jersey’s top trial lawyers and the 1997 recipient of the prestigious Trial Attorneys of New Jersey Award. He was presented with the 2003 Alfred C. Clapp Laureate for his dedication and service to the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, where he served as a frequent lecturer and panelist. He was a Master and former Program Director of the Morris County Worrall F. Mountain Inn of Court, Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, former President of the Seton Hall Law School Alumni Association, and a Fellow and former NJ State Chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the United States’ most prestigious trial attorney organization, representing less than 1% of the legal population in each state. He co-authored the first annotations to the NJ Rules of Evidence (1972) and published many works on wrongful death, medical malpractice, and NJ trial and evidence, some used as law school textbooks. Dick was a recognized expert on the legal impact of AIDS on society and a matrimonial law expert, often presenting before the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
One of the highlights of his career was serving as an Adjunct Professor of Civil Trial Practice at his beloved Seton Hall Law School for 20+ years. Nothing gave him greater satisfaction than seeing all four of his daughters graduate from his alma mater. He was on stage for every graduation and personally handed each daughter her diploma, one of the biggest honors of his lifetime.
Anyone who knew Dick understood his true passion in life was away from the office. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and sons-in-law and jamming on the drums to his favorite artists, such as Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, and his idol, Charlie Watts. He loved classic car shows, working in the yard, and completing the NY Times Crossword Puzzle. But, most of all, he cherished every minute spent with his wife, girls, and five grandchildren. He treasured walks with Pam in Bay Head, where they shared a second home, and trips to Mueller’s Bakery with a grandkid or two in hand. He was a gifted storyteller, making up the most fantastic tales when his kids were young, and remarkably retelling them word for word to his grandchildren decades later.
Dick’s loss is profound but there is no doubt he leaves behind a legacy of greatness. Dick is pre-deceased by his parents, Herbert and Frances Brennan, and survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Pamela D. Brennan (Fenton); devoted daughters, Catherine M. Brennan of Manalapan, NJ, Patricia A. Schramm (Greg) of Wellesley, MA, Mary B. Jeffrey (Joel) of Montclair,NJ, and Elizabeth D. Miller (Doug) of Essex Fells, NJ; cherished grandchildren, Gabriella, Caitlyn, William, Christina, and Luke; loving siblings, Herbert (Anita) of Panther Valley, NJ and Barbara Burns (Ned), of St. Paul, MN, plus many treasured nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to honor Dick’s life on Thursday, March 24th from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, www.shookfarmer.com. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 25th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Caldwell, with interment to follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Caldwell.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks donations to be made in his memory to The Richard E. Brennan Endowed Scholarship at his beloved Seton Hall Law School.
Click here to donate and write “Brennan Endowed Scholarship” in the gift designation field, or send directly to Seton Hall Law, Attn: Keith Cook, c/o Richard E. Brennan Endowed Scholarship, One Newark Center, Newark, NJ 07102.
Dick was born on December 2, 1941, in Orange, NJ where he was recognized early on for his keen intellect. He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School at 16 years old and received his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University in 1962.After college, Dick served as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC and San Antonio, TX (1962-64). During his military service he received a scholarship to Seton Hall Law School where he graduated first in his class (1967). He practiced law as a litigator for over 52 years with the law firms of Shanley and Fisher (later merged with Drinker, Biddle and Reath) and McElroy Deutsch, Mulvaney and Carpenter. On October 7, 1967, he married his wife Pam and together they raised four daughters.
Dick was involved in local politics, serving as a Caldwell Councilman from 1971- 1973 and Chairman of the Caldwell Zoning Board of Adjustment. From 1974-1976 he was Chairman of The Bridge in West Caldwell, a nonprofit community-based organization.
Dick was a Certified Civil Trial Attorney with the NJ Supreme Court and instrumental in several significant, precedent-setting appeals. He was widely acknowledged by his peers as one of New Jersey’s top trial lawyers and the 1997 recipient of the prestigious Trial Attorneys of New Jersey Award. He was presented with the 2003 Alfred C. Clapp Laureate for his dedication and service to the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, where he served as a frequent lecturer and panelist. He was a Master and former Program Director of the Morris County Worrall F. Mountain Inn of Court, Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, former President of the Seton Hall Law School Alumni Association, and a Fellow and former NJ State Chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the United States’ most prestigious trial attorney organization, representing less than 1% of the legal population in each state. He co-authored the first annotations to the NJ Rules of Evidence (1972) and published many works on wrongful death, medical malpractice, and NJ trial and evidence, some used as law school textbooks. Dick was a recognized expert on the legal impact of AIDS on society and a matrimonial law expert, often presenting before the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
One of the highlights of his career was serving as an Adjunct Professor of Civil Trial Practice at his beloved Seton Hall Law School for 20+ years. Nothing gave him greater satisfaction than seeing all four of his daughters graduate from his alma mater. He was on stage for every graduation and personally handed each daughter her diploma, one of the biggest honors of his lifetime.
Anyone who knew Dick understood his true passion in life was away from the office. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and sons-in-law and jamming on the drums to his favorite artists, such as Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, and his idol, Charlie Watts. He loved classic car shows, working in the yard, and completing the NY Times Crossword Puzzle. But, most of all, he cherished every minute spent with his wife, girls, and five grandchildren. He treasured walks with Pam in Bay Head, where they shared a second home, and trips to Mueller’s Bakery with a grandkid or two in hand. He was a gifted storyteller, making up the most fantastic tales when his kids were young, and remarkably retelling them word for word to his grandchildren decades later.
Dick’s loss is profound but there is no doubt he leaves behind a legacy of greatness. Dick is pre-deceased by his parents, Herbert and Frances Brennan, and survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Pamela D. Brennan (Fenton); devoted daughters, Catherine M. Brennan of Manalapan, NJ, Patricia A. Schramm (Greg) of Wellesley, MA, Mary B. Jeffrey (Joel) of Montclair,NJ, and Elizabeth D. Miller (Doug) of Essex Fells, NJ; cherished grandchildren, Gabriella, Caitlyn, William, Christina, and Luke; loving siblings, Herbert (Anita) of Panther Valley, NJ and Barbara Burns (Ned), of St. Paul, MN, plus many treasured nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to honor Dick’s life on Thursday, March 24th from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, www.shookfarmer.com. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 25th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Caldwell, with interment to follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Caldwell.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks donations to be made in his memory to The Richard E. Brennan Endowed Scholarship at his beloved Seton Hall Law School.
Click here to donate and write “Brennan Endowed Scholarship” in the gift designation field, or send directly to Seton Hall Law, Attn: Keith Cook, c/o Richard E. Brennan Endowed Scholarship, One Newark Center, Newark, NJ 07102.