William Francis “Fran” Brennan 1936 – 2022 BRUNSWICK – William Francis “Fran” Brennan, 86, died peacefully Tuesday Oct. 4, 2022 at Midcoast Hospital. The son of Francis J. and Sarah M. Tansey Brennan, Fran was born in Norwich, N.Y. on Sept. 24, 1936. A high school football, basketball and track athlete, Fran became the first member of his family to attend college, earning a Navy ROTC scholarship to the University of Rochester. He married his college sweetheart, Judith “Judy” Elizabeth Benz, and the two remained happily married until Judy’s unexpected death in 2014. Fran served as an artillery officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1958-1963, including time stationed in Okinawa, Japan and 29 Palms, Calif., where he and Judy started their family of four children. An avid bowler, Fran bowled a “perfect game” of 300 in 29 Palms. After sending out more than 40 letters upon separating from the Marine Corps, he received one reply with a job offer, and he and Judy set out for Connecticut and the beginning of a long career in the insurance industry. Fran held numerous leadership roles at Connecticut General Insurance Corporation which became CIGNA, rising to senior vice president. Fran and Judy raised their children on a succession of small farms primarily in North Granby, Conn. After taking a Dale Carnegie sales training course at that time, Fran’s newfound eloquence led to his nickname of the “silver-tongued pig farmer.” In 1984 Fran moved to Maine to join Union Mutual Insurance Company, where he helped lead the company’s transition to a public company renamed UNUM. At UNUM, Fran led a number of business units and corporate strategy, including making numerous acquisitions and international expansions into the UK, Japan, and Bermuda. Also while at UNUM, Fran was an outspoken advocate on adult mental health issues, working to remove stigma and create a workplace where employees felt safe to address mental and emotional health challenges. Fran retired in 1995 as an executive vice president, and he and Judy began to spend much of their time on the island of Kauai, where they acquired and operated a hydroponic lettuce farm. During his 38-year connection to Maine, Fran served as a deacon as well as the treasurer for First Parish Church in Brunswick. He also helped found, and served as deacon, for the Church of the Pacific in Princeville, Kauai, where he was deeply engaged with the creation of their impactful food pantry program. Throughout his life, Fran enjoyed his pursuits as a gentleman farmer and a long distance runner, completing two marathons and establishing UNUM’s corporate track program, and was inducted into the U.S. Corporate Athletics Association Hall of Fame in 1994. He was predeceased by his wife, Judy; a son, Dr. Matthew Tyler Brennan; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Brooker. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Ann McCarthy of Norwich, N.Y.; son, Seth W. Brennan and his wife, Elizabeth, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., daughters Jennifer Brennan Swindell and her husband, Thomas, of Sagle, Idaho, and Amy Brennan Mohn of Westborough, Mass.; and nine grandchildren. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memories and condolences can be shared at http://www.brackettfh.com . Donations in Fran’s memory may be made to Jane’s Team at the First Parish Church 9 Cleaveland St. Brunswick, ME 04011 and the Kauai Humane Society at kauaihumane.org

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