Berkeleyan

Obituary
Anthony Brennan

11 July 2007

Anthony (Tony) Brennan, assistant director of the California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways Program (PATH), died of leukemia on May 31, at the age of 71.

Tony Brennan

Brennan was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1936. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1960, then - following receipt of a master's degree from the Naval Postgraduate School - served 20 years in the Navy, retiring as a commander in the Supply Corps. It was during this time that he developed the expertise in contacting and contract administration that would distinguish him at PATH.

Brennan came to Berkeley in 1994, after working in private industry for Continental Maritime and Autek Systems; at the latter firm he rose to the position of general manager/corporate business operations manager during a period of tenfold sales growth for the company.

At Berkeley, Brennan joined the staff at the Institute for Trans­portation Studies, where, according to colleagues, "his zeal for staff and organizational development had a huge impact." The research program at PATH tripled in size during the years that Brennan, working under five successive directors, employed his contracting expertise and administrative leadership. Those qualities, along with his "tireless advocacy of the PATH program," contributed to the successful negotiation of key research agreements between the campus and Caltrans, earning Brennan the nickname "the man who saved PATH."

Brennan was recognized for his achievements last November, when he received the Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Award.

His survivors include his wife of 47 years, Anne; children Anthony, Matthew, Anne, Tretonne, Jane, and Francis; brothers Frank, Martin, Michael, and Dennis; sisters Emily and Moira; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service was held June 7 in San Ramon; another was held in St. Louis on June 30. His family asks for donations to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society in lieu of flowers.