Thomas Joseph Brennan

After a fierce, remarkably long war against multiple myeloma and, more recently, pancreatic cancer, Thomas Joseph Brennan heroically took his last stand on September 27, 2024, his 52nd birthday. Tom was the ultimate planner, somehow finding a way to leave this world on the same day he entered it. Since a cliché obituary just wouldn’t be enough to summarize the life of our Titanium Tom, his family and friends have compiled his writings over the years into what we think he would want to say about his mission.

TOM’S STORY

In 2009, cancer challenged me to a sprint for my life. It gave me no option but to compete. I was not interested in a one- to three-year race, so I stretched that sprint into a 15-year marathon. I intended to run my opponent into the ground. Even when taking hit after hit, I continued to stare my enemy down. I was never going to be a victim.

Just like my Army training taught me, I continually found my enemy, fixed my enemy in place, and claimed victory upon victory. I may have lost in the end, but I was never beaten. 

Relentlessly and aggressively, cancer tried to take my life from me. It was not in my plans. I was not surrendering my time with my toddler daughter, Reese. She gave me the strength to go on. She saw firsthand what it meant to be a fighter. She protected the legacy I wanted to leave her, that of being smart, tenacious, and fearless, driven to accomplish extraordinary feats and never allowing outside forces to deter her from her dreams.

Not giving into the cancer, I pushed life forward with the addition of Max, my son. He is proof that the most amazing things can happen in the face of adversity. Like Reese, I was able to watch Max become the person I hoped he would be. He has a curiously smart mind, and he always puts others first. He is a fierce protector of the underdog. He is intolerable of the unkind and fiercely loyal. Max and Reese will continue to make the world a better place.

My goal was to keep my tormentor at bay long enough to be around to guide my children toward adulthood. The life lessons my enemy attempted to prevent me from teaching my children have been instilled with care. My fight rewarded me with the distinct pleasure of catching a glimpse of the wonderful adults Reese and Max are destined to be. 

Through it all, I have learned countless lessons of my own. The greatest is, I never felt my full purpose in the world until I married my wife, Whitney. I was her provider and protector, and, in turn, she took care of me beyond measure. She gave me my purpose. Together, we formed an undefeatable army of strength, perseverance, and love. My only regret in life was not meeting her when I was younger.

We are fortunate to have the support of a loving family fortifying our perimeter. Marriage and family taught me how to protect women and children, which provided me with the formula that led me to my greatest success.

I also found success in other parts of my life: the military, the business world, my faith, and my community. I have formed solid relationships that made life enjoyable. These friendships helped me to be a better man. We ate, smoked cigars, took fishing trips, and even sipped some Irish whiskey. We traveled, talked, lived in faith, and did the little things that make life a worthy endeavor. 

I am forever grateful to those that made little things important, fun, and memorable. I went out of my way to create moments with people I knew as well as those I didn’t, and it deeply enriched my world. Even seemingly insignificant moments can alter a life.

My death in 2024, a decade and a half after the marathon began, is not a defeat. I crossed the finish line on my terms.

As far as the meaning of life, for me it was responsibility. My reason for getting up in the morning was to provide, to be proud without being prideful, and to accomplish something. When I felt I had something to do, I felt better. Looking my enemy in the eye each day and giving my best to defeat it in order to serve and protect my family, for many more days than most thought possible, was my purpose and absolute honor. COURAGE CONQUERS!

Friends and family may visit at Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main Street, Sylvania, Ohio on Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 p.m.. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sylvania on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Tom being laid to rest immediately following at Toledo Memorial Park. Friends have set up a GoFundMe in support of the Brennan Family at https://gofundme.com/support-for-the-tom-brennan-family.

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