Thomas J. Brennan

Thomas James Brennan was born in Washington, DC on July 2, 1929 to parents Thomas and Evelyn (Trail) and older sister Betty.  The family lived a simple life in southeast Washington, prioritizing friendships and family.  Tom attended Gonzaga High School, earning his diploma in 1947.  In these early years, he developed lifelong friendships with neighbors and classmates, who remained an active part of his life for decades.

Upon graduation from Gonzaga, Tom took a position with Pepco, the Washington DC-based utility company.  He worked there as a bookkeeper and junior accountant until drafted into the Army.  After basic training, he earned a position in Officer’s Candidate School, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant.  He then served in the Korean War participating in engineering, supply and training assignments before his discharge in 1953.  His time in Korea led to him disappointing his children by denying their request to go camping with his quip, “I camped for two straight years in Korea.  I’m done camping.”

His service in Korea afforded him the opportunity to continue his education.  He took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled in the University of Maryland, College Park, becoming the first in his family to attend college.  After four years, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History. 

After college, Tom received a position as an analyst and intelligence officer at the National Security Agency (NSA) in Fort Meade, Maryland.  He was a dedicated and faithful employee, ultimately providing 33 years of service to our country at the agency.  His work, contributions and successes throughout his career at NSA remain known only to his colleagues.  His loyalty and commitment to his oath as an intelligence officer extended beyond his tenure at NSA.  Even at the age of 90, 32 years after his retirement, when a grandson asked him to share some of the specifics of his work for a school assignment, he declined, stating he was uncomfortable discussing it and wished to keep his vow to the agency.

In 1964, Tom met Katherine (Kitty) Hanlon at an event associated with their church.  The two were soon married in Katherine’s hometown in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  They purchased a one-story, ranch-style house in the new planned community in Bowie, MD, becoming the original owners of the house that remains the family home to this day.  Over the next five years, children Anne (1965), Mary (1966), Gavin (1968) and Patrick (1970) were born.  Tom’s life returned to its focus on family.  While raising his children, he placed family over career.  The nightly routine started with Tom coming home from work at 5:00pm, followed by dinner with the family, the 6pm local news, the 7pm evening news with Walter Cronkite and homework support and bedtime routines.  Interspersed throughout were evenings with church groups and the Knights of Columbus, occasional continuing education classes, and carpools to practices.

One career decision, however, had a profound and lasting impact on his family.  In 1981, Tom accepted a three-year tour of duty at the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham, England, Britain’s counterpart to the NSA.  The move to England opened doors, minds and hearts for the entire family.  Everyone developed an appreciation of another nation and culture and a desire to travel.  Most importantly, the family developed friendships that remain strong to this day.

In 1989, Tom retired from NSA and embarked on the final chapter of his life, a chapter that lasted 32 years.  During this time, Kitty and he traveled across the US and abroad, kept busy on projects around the house, and continued to fuel their desire to learn through various courses with Elder Hostel.  The University of Notre Dame, Williamsburg and Hilton Head were frequent destinations. 

Tom’s legacy transcends a simple accounting of the events of his life.  To those that did not know him well, his quiet nature masked his exceptional intelligence and keen sense of humor.  He humbly practiced his Catholic faith.  He went to the gym until COVID-19 put a stop to it.  He could not stop from treating himself to the latest technical gadget, be it stereo receivers, the newest calculator watch, or - to his family’s surprise - the latest high-end Apple MacBook Pro laptop which he pulled from the closet a week before his death.  He loved Maryland Terps basketball and Notre Dame football.  He disliked vegetables, especially asparagus.  He welcomed many to his home, from all walks of life.  He never asked for or took more than he needed.  And, he loved his wife and his children, making them his priority, unconditionally. 

Tom died just before 5pm on April 20, in his Bowie home, with Kitty, Anne, Mary, Gavin and Patrick at his side.  He is also survived by two daughters-in-law (Valerie and Christy), nine grandchildren (Jennifer (s. John), Thomas, Conor, Liam, Finn, Katherine, Zoe, Cecilia, and Elizabeth), three great-grandchildren (Cameron, Riley and Kyrie), and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.