Joseph Brennan Memorial Fund

My twin brother, Joseph Patrick Brennan, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on December 8th, 2021.

https://www.hillsboroughfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Joseph-Patrick-Brennan?obId=23338948#/celebrationWall 

 

Joe leaves behind his wife and partner of 20 years, Devon Santoro and his two cherished daughters Mercy (who turns 8 on 12/27) and Dahlia (our Halloween baby who turned two on 10/31).

 

My brother, my twin, the other half of my heart and my soul – he was the coolest.

Like cooler than cool since day one.

 

He was tall, dark and handsome. Well dressed. Well spoken. Extremely photogenic.

I often described my brother and his wife Devon as literal models.

 

When Joe entered the room, he was magnetic. I remember always being so proud when he’d show up somewhere to be with me. He had this sort of very specific gait to his walk.

 

He almost swaggered into the room in this very “cool” way – he was James Dean -esque. He’d see you across the room and smile his big sincere kind of “side” grin. He used to throw his arm up in the air in acknowledgement. Give you that one-armed hug or handshake with his big VMI ring on. His body language was so distinct.

 

His whole aesthetic was a vibe.

He was funny. Like really, truly funny in that gut splitting way. It didn’t matter that sometimes he was the only one laughing. He lived to laugh.

 

He was smart and creative. WAY smarter than me. He didn’t do as well in school – (sorry mom and dad) but he knew all sorts of things about all sorts of things and he wanted to tell you about it all.

He got that from our Father.

 

He was accepting. He had friends of all colors, creeds and beliefs. He rooted for the underdog. He taught me a lot about what it meant to not “fit in” and to thrive while doing. I always wished I’d been as free as he was.

 

He was loving. Deeply caring and sincere. His daughters were the joy of his life. Mercy as his willing sidekick and Dahlia, his beloved Halloween baby.

 

I loved the way he loved my daughter Madeline. Mookie Maddie he called her. I can hear his voice in my head when I say it. She hated that nickname.

 

He was spontaneous and confident. You NEVER knew what was coming next with Joe.

I envied how authentic he was. I’ve always lived life by the rulebook – my brother never did.

 

He had conviction in his beliefs, he loved his country and was truly a patriot. His time at VMI shaped the core of his character. I respected and had such pride in him for that.

 

To be loved by Joe was something else.

Joey made you feel special – seen – supported – believed in.

He was intense when he decided he had to love you “extra” when you couldn’t love yourself.

 

I've started this GoFundMe to assist Devon with the immediate expenses of raising the two girls on her own after the sudden loss of her husband. My heart is broken in half at the loss of my twin - the only thing I can do that makes any sense at all in the midst of this tragedy is to make sure his three girls are looked after.

 

Devon's primary focus since Mercy was born has been raising the girls. She is employed as an Animal Control Officer, but has been working part time, while working full time at home raising Mercy and Dahlia. My brother long suffered from Crohn’s disease and was unable to afford life insurance. His sudden death due to complications of his Crohn’s has left Devon and the girls with an uncertain financial future.

 

We are grateful beyond words for the generosity, compassion and empathy we've been shown thus far. Our friends and family from near and far have rallied around us to hold us up in our despair.

 

Please consider making a contribution in Joe's memory to help us support his girls.

 

God Bless you and thank you from the depths of my heart.

 

Sarah