HOLYOKE — After recently rallying around beloved bar owner and community member Patrick Brennan in his fight with ALS, the community now remembers and mourns him after it was recently announced he passed away at the age of 57.
It was announced in February that Brennan was diagnosed with ALS after being absent from his bar the last few months.
Whether you stopped by the big tent outside of Brennan’s Place during Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend, or enjoy going there at any other point throughout the year, you have heard of his place and have most likely seen Brennan.
Many noticed that Brennan had been absent from the bar the last few months and the family had kept his health challenges close until a proper diagnosis was identified.
After many months of hospital visits, rehabilitation stays, tests, scans and growing symptoms, Brennan was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons controlling voluntary muscle movement. Over time, this results in muscle weakness, impaired speech and eventual paralysis.
Brennan was born and raised in Holyoke and attended Blessed Sacrament, Metcalf and Peck Schools, then attended Holyoke High School before going to Siena College.
After bouncing around the service industry, Brennan eventually fulfilled his dream of owning a business with his wife, Brennan’s Place.
A tradition began at his bar each Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade weekend by putting up a 10-foot by 10-foot tent in the back parking lot of Brennan’s Place that grew each year.
Despite everything he was facing, Brennan was adamant that the festivities continued this year with the Road Race on March 22 and the parade on March 23. A four-day-long celebration and fundraising effort took place this year including a performance from Brennan’s beloved Bruce Springsteen tribute band, the New Jersey-based E Street Shuffle Band.
Reminder Publishing reached out to the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee who shared that Brennan was a “good friend” to many of the members.
Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee President John Beaulieu said, “The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime friend and supporter, Pat Brennan. Pat was a champion for everything Holyoke, whether through coaching or supporting youth sports and charitable organizations, and of course the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade. The addition of Brennan’s Place and its events leading up to the Road Race many years ago have added incredible value to the Homecoming Weekend experience. Pat Brennan’s legacy will live on through his family and the legions of friends and customers that loved him.”
Before his passing, friends, family and residents provided updates and started a GoFundMe page to help support Brennan and his family.
Those credited with setting up the GoFundMe and providing updates to the page were Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, Chris Camus and Jimmy Sheedy.
The organizers stated at the time that they knew this news would be a shock to many, but with the family’s permission, they created the campaign to help alleviate the financial burden that comes with months of hospital visits, growing medical and living expenses and future bills.
Murphy-Romboletti said starting the fundraiser “was the least we could do,” with everything Brennan and his family have done for Holyoke.
She further stated, “Our goal with the GoFundMe campaign and the various fundraisers was always to surround the family with the unwavering support that only Holyokers are always uniquely qualified to provide. The ways that other business owners have shown up for Pat and his family is a true testament to his reputation in the community and the respect that so many had for him.”
After reaching out to Murphy-Romboletti, she talked about legacy and impact Brennan had so many in Holyoke.
She said, “There’s so much that could be said about Pat and the ways that he contributed to our community. He helped create the block party that so many people know and love on Road Race Day. He mentored so many kids who grew up to be great adults in our community.
It is evident that Pat was a legend in Holyoke and his final celebrations have been nothing short of legendary — something his family will always appreciate and remember.”
