James K. "Jim" Brennan, age 63, of Lomira, passed away Friday, August 26, 2011 at his home with his family by his side.
He was born on December 26, 1947 in Binghamton, NY to the late John and Dorothy (nee Garvey) Brennan and grew up with two older brothers, Jay and Bob. Jim earned his associate degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Paul Smiths College in Lake Placid, NY. Jim married the love of his life, Beverly Buecker, on April 15, 1979 in Las Vegas, NV.
Jim worked through out the United States. His first job was at the Penn Garden Hotel, across from Madison Square Garden in New York City. From there, he went to DeKalb, IL and then Denver, CO where he met his devoted wife, Beverly. Jim completed his studies at the University of Denver and also served as a volunteer firefighter while living in Colorado. In 1975, Jim and Bev moved to Oshkosh to be near Jim's brothers. After being a manager at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, Jim and Bev moved to Indiana where their beautiful daughter, Dorothy, was born. Jim worked for Franklin College in Indiana and then moved to Libertyville, IL and Trinity College.
The adventure continued when the Brennans moved to Milwaukee and Jim accepted a challenging position with Sodexo as a computer management software training manager which caused him to travel all over the US. In the early 2000's Jim and Bev created Brennan Associates, a food service management consulting firm. Jim used his extensive management experience and knowledge to help food service professionals improve their operations.
In 2004 Jim began another adventure when he became the University of Alaska - Fairbanks Food Service Director. Bev was able to join Jim in Alaska when he became the Food Service Director for the entire University of Alaska system with campuses at Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau.
Jim and Bev moved back to the lower 48 states in 2009 when he became the Resident District Manager at the University of Illinois - Chicago. In 2010 Jim and Bev moved to Lomira to be close to family and friends and to make new friends with their very caring neighbors. Jim was a very talented man. He was an excellent photographer and ice sculptor. One of his greatest gifts was his love of people and his desire to mentor and help the careers of many. In Milwaukee, he enjoyed being a Dale Carnegie instructor and in Alaska he taught Food service Management classes at the Fairbanks Technical College. Jim loved to ride his Harley.
Jim was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. He was very proud of his daughter, Dorothy, and her husband, Casey and he was especially proud of his beautiful grandson, Caden. Jim loved his family very much and no matter how far he had to travel he was always with his daughter on her birthday. Jim touched many people's lives and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly of Lomira; daughter, Dorothy (Casey) Shaver of West Bend; grandson, Caden Shaver; brother, Robert Brennan of Oshkosh; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Brennan of Watertown; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jay Brennan.
A memorial service in remembrance of Jim will be held on Wednesday, September 7th at 4:00 pm at the Myrhum - Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3:30 pm until the time of the service. A reception will follow at 5:00 p.m. in Ridge Run Park - Shelter 1 (enter Wheat Ridge Lane off Scenic Dr.).
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society or Cancer Treatment Center of America, Zion, IL are appreciated by the family.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Jason of Heartland Hospice for the wonderful care he gave Jim.