Patrick (Pat) Brennan

Patrick (Pat) Brennan, 76, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.  Pat was born in December of 1946. He loved construction and working with his hands, building with steel and wood.  After his five-year apprenticeship with plumbers and pipefitters Local 172, he went on to forty years of challenging projects as a pipefitter/welder.  He enjoyed the heaviest construction the best: nuclear power plants, steel mills and many local sites.  He also enjoyed completing the blind welds sometimes necessary to complete a technical project.  He often said he was born for this profession.

Pat was also a fine woodworker making many pieces of furniture for his family and friends.  In 1995, Pat bought an 8N Ford tractor, he loved this machine.  He designed and built many unique tools and implements which he posted on the Ford 8N forum site over the years.  He built a front-end snowplow, and the Ford tractor magazine used the plans as a featured article.  A picture of his tractor was featured in a Ford 8N calendar. 

Being outside was primary in Pat’s life.  He loved fly fishing for blue gill, squirrel hunting and going after walleye and pike on fly-in-fishing trips.  He enjoyed taking his wife and friends with him on these trips. He also visited Ireland, skied Switzerland, and walked about Australia.  His greatest joy was metal detecting with friends in England.  Over many years he discovered amazing historical coins and artifacts, some over 2000 years old.  He was a world traveler.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Gerry Brennan and his brother, Tom. He is survived by his 2 sisters, Jill and Sue and his 4 children from his first marriage, Chris, Lisa, Lori and Julie. In 1998 he married Linda and gained 4 more children, Jenny, Bill, Sam and Betsy.   Pat had a total of 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  Pat loved his children and was very proud of them. 

The family will receive friends from 3 pm-7 pm on Monday, October 23, 2023, at Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, IN.  Funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, October 24th at the funeral home with Reverend Jo An Schaetzle officiating.

Contributions can be made in Pat’s memory to Boys Scouts of America or the Humane Society of St. Joseph County.

To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com or Hahn Funeral Home Facebook page.

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