“Live every day as if it were your last. One day you’ll be right.” Hal Roach

Ronald Mitchell Brennan did just that. He died Jan. 21.

A most wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and co-worker, Ron touched many lives every day of his life. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he married his junior high school sweetheart, Judy (Braun) Brennan, dancing and laughing with her for 52 years. They lived in Cleveland for more than 50 years before moving to New England and settling in East Haddam/Moodus.

He was a paratrooper in the US Army, was a top executive in television media sales at WEWS-TV and WUAB-TV in Cleveland, and loved working at Deep River Hardware as his retirement career. He was also a longtime supporter, member, and volunteer at the Goodspeed Opera House, the Ivoryton Playhouse, the East Haddam Historical Society, the East Haddam Senior Center, the East Haddam Democratic Town Committee, the Irish American Home Society, and more. He was a voracious supporter of the arts, professional and otherwise, loved music of all genres, read constantly, and was one of the best dancers ever.

He was predeceased by his parents Seymour and Ann (Mitchell) Brennan and his much adored wife Judy, as well as siblings Nancy Francy, Tom Brennan, Jon Brennan, and Seymour (Butchie) Brennan. He is survived by his daughter Casey McGannon and her husband Donald of Chester; his granddaughter Jennifer Zakrzewski and her husband Jason of Bristol; his grandson Donald McGannon III and his wife Frederica of Riverside; and granddaughter Christine Sullivan of Marshfield, Massachusetts. He also leaves seven great-grandchildren, Joshua and Kelly Mame Sullivan, Abigail and Mitchell Zakrzewski, and Henry, Heidi, and Nicholas McGannon; and more nieces, nephews, and cousins in Ohio, New England, and across the US. He also leaves a dear friend, Mary Ellen Klinck.

There are too many people to list whose lives he shared, enjoyed, enriched, and to whom he brought much joy and laughter. He will be missed by everyone he knew.

A lifelong and long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan, he thrilled in the Indians’ and Cavaliers’ successes last year and was on a visit to Cleveland with Casey just before the World Series, visiting dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He accompanied Casey to her first Beatle concert in September 1964 as Judy worried she might be trampled.

Ron loved life and got more out of life than anyone we ever knew. He left this life with no regrets, leaving a legacy of love, smiles, and fun. At 88, he still babysat with Abigail and Mitchell, who dearly loved their “Big Papa.”

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at a later date in East Haddam and in Cleveland. Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to the Goodspeed Opera House, PO Box A, East Haddam, CT 06423, or the Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation, PO Box 458, Ivoryton, CT 06442. He never missed a show, and this would be a most meaningful tribute, something he would love.

He never said “Goodbye,” he always said, “So long.” So long, Ron—you are so loved.

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