Dr. Donald Christopher Brennan

Donald Christopher Brennan passed away peacefully at home in Los Gatos surrounded by his family on December 16, 2021 after a very brief battle with an aggressive cancer. He was 76 years old.

His parents moved to the United States from Ireland in the early 1930s, and quickly made a quintessentially American life for Donald, and his sister, Anne in Queens, NY. Donald's love of hard study led him to Georgetown University (graduating 6/6/66) and then medical school at SUNY Downstate. Following his graduation, his internship introduced him to a young nurse, Flora Anne Nolan. They married in 1971.

Donald and Flora's path led west to UC Davis Medical Center and a home in Sacramento, then to San Jose, and, in 1987, they moved to their beloved town of Los Gatos, where they remained for the rest of Donald's life for nearly 35 years. Donald practiced medicine, specializing in hematology and oncology, for Good Samaritan Hospital and San Jose Medical Group for over 30 years. He was adored by colleagues and patients for his knowledge, his kindness, and his quirky sense of humor. He retired in 2010.

Doctor, traveler, historian, husband, father, Papa and friend, he was a man with many interests and talents. In retirement, he created beautiful landscape architecture in his home's meadow. He was rightfully very proud of his perfectly proportioned stone map of all 50 American states fashioned from naturally occurring, state-shaped rocks he gathered on his many walks.

Throughout his life, Donald was an avid sports fan, particularly when it came to the San Jose Sharks, the 49ers, the Cal Bears and Georgetown Hoyas.

One of Donald's boasts in life was having set foot in all 50 states, a testament to his deep and enduring love of travel. He renewed friendships and met many new friends on trips to Ireland, Mexico, France, Peru, Britain, Russia, and Spain. He proudly kept a map of the world on his wall adorned with pins marking all the places he'd visited. Yet "Papa Don" was decidedly happiest teasing the grandkids and enjoying the love of his family and the company of friends during the many weeks spent beside the glistening Pacific waters at Monterey Dunes.

Donald is survived and incredibly loved by his wife of 50 years, Flora (known by many as "Sam"); daughters Kelly Brennan Brown (Robert) of San Anselmo, CA, and Megan Hann Baldwin (Andrew) of Bend, OR; and grandchildren Gemma Anne Brown, Brennan Robert Brown, and Alexander Christopher Baldwin. He was preceded in death by his mother Susan McWilliams Brennan of County Derry, Northern Ireland, and father Christopher Brennan of County Westmeath, Ireland, and his sister Anne O'Reilly of North Bellmore, NY.

After a few delays, including Omicron cancellation, we will finally gather to celebrate his life and to share memories and moments of our time with one of the best, on April 30 at 2PM at Saratoga Foothill Club.

Published in Los Gatan · March 11, 2022