Produce industry mourns loss of Joe Brennan, former PMA chairman
Produce industry mourns loss of Joe Brennan, former PMA chairman
Joseph J. Brennan died at home Oct. 28 after a four-year battle with lung cancer He was 70 years old.
He is perhaps best known in produce circles for his many years as senior purchasing agent with the Marriott Corp. and for his service with the Produce Marketing Association.
Born May 15, 1935 in Geneva, NY, and reared in Canandaigua, NY, Mr. Brennan previously resided in Buffalo, NY, and Syracuse, NY, before moving to Maryland. He graduated from Canandaigua Academy and received a bachelor's degree in business administration in accounting from Niagara University, according to The Capital in Annapolis, MD.
Mr. Brennan was the first representative from the foodservice industry to serve as PMA's chairman of the board (1984-85). Previously he had worked in several produce-related positions for Loblaws Inc. in Buffalo, NY. After his PMA tenure, he worked for Advantica, parent company of Denny's Corp. and five other restaurant concepts.
In addition to his service as PMA chairman, Mr. Brennan was a member of the PMA Retail and Foodservice division boards of directors and chairman of the Foodservice division board. He was also chairman of PMA's 1984 convention in Washington, DC, and a member of the PMA Executive Committee from 1983 to 1986.
"Joe contributed greatly to PMA's direction in the 1980s and beyond," PMA President Bryan Silbermann said in a statement. "His passion for excellence made PMA a stronger organization, especially when combined with his determination to have foodservice recognized as a significant area of growth for fresh produce. The produce innovations we are seeing in foodservice today have their roots in the foundations laid by Joe and others more than 20 years ago."
Gene Harris of Denny's Corp. and current PMA Foodservice Division board chairman added, "The produce industry has lost another great leader. Joe loved the dynamics of both the produce and foodservice industries. He was mentally sharp and very passionate; he was both a realist and a catalyst. Always willing to share his knowledge to make people and companies better, Joe pushed us in the right direction, which has led us to where we are today. I personally learned a lot from Joe; he was a great teacher and he will be missed."
After his family, Mr. Brennan's first love was golf. He was a member of Bay Hills Country Club for 28 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, McGiveney Chapter; a charter member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; and a member of the Annapolis Elks.
Surviving him are his wife of 46 years, Mary L. Flanagan Brennan; two daughters, Mary Jo Jones and Kathleen I. Browne; two sons, Joseph J. Brennan and Kevin M. Brennan; and eight grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.
He is perhaps best known in produce circles for his many years as senior purchasing agent with the Marriott Corp. and for his service with the Produce Marketing Association.
Born May 15, 1935 in Geneva, NY, and reared in Canandaigua, NY, Mr. Brennan previously resided in Buffalo, NY, and Syracuse, NY, before moving to Maryland. He graduated from Canandaigua Academy and received a bachelor's degree in business administration in accounting from Niagara University, according to The Capital in Annapolis, MD.
Mr. Brennan was the first representative from the foodservice industry to serve as PMA's chairman of the board (1984-85). Previously he had worked in several produce-related positions for Loblaws Inc. in Buffalo, NY. After his PMA tenure, he worked for Advantica, parent company of Denny's Corp. and five other restaurant concepts.
In addition to his service as PMA chairman, Mr. Brennan was a member of the PMA Retail and Foodservice division boards of directors and chairman of the Foodservice division board. He was also chairman of PMA's 1984 convention in Washington, DC, and a member of the PMA Executive Committee from 1983 to 1986.
"Joe contributed greatly to PMA's direction in the 1980s and beyond," PMA President Bryan Silbermann said in a statement. "His passion for excellence made PMA a stronger organization, especially when combined with his determination to have foodservice recognized as a significant area of growth for fresh produce. The produce innovations we are seeing in foodservice today have their roots in the foundations laid by Joe and others more than 20 years ago."
Gene Harris of Denny's Corp. and current PMA Foodservice Division board chairman added, "The produce industry has lost another great leader. Joe loved the dynamics of both the produce and foodservice industries. He was mentally sharp and very passionate; he was both a realist and a catalyst. Always willing to share his knowledge to make people and companies better, Joe pushed us in the right direction, which has led us to where we are today. I personally learned a lot from Joe; he was a great teacher and he will be missed."
After his family, Mr. Brennan's first love was golf. He was a member of Bay Hills Country Club for 28 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, McGiveney Chapter; a charter member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; and a member of the Annapolis Elks.
Surviving him are his wife of 46 years, Mary L. Flanagan Brennan; two daughters, Mary Jo Jones and Kathleen I. Browne; two sons, Joseph J. Brennan and Kevin M. Brennan; and eight grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.
