Beloved Teacher's Former Students Pay Heartfelt Tribute

MATTITUCK, NY — As the community prepares to say farewell to beloved Mattituck teacher Thomas B. Brennan, Sunday, his former students opened their hearts to share memories of the man who shaped their lives.

Brennan, of Southold, died Oct. 25. He was 76 years old.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church in Mattituck.

The rite of committal will be private.

During his career, Mr. Brennan helped shape many lives and sparked a love of theater and literature in his students in the Mattituck school district.

Marissa Russo paid heartfelt tribute to her mentor and friend. “Earlier today when I heard about the passing of Mr. Tom Brennan, I sat at my desk and cried all of my makeup off," she said.

"And then I heard his deep, booming laugh in my head, and saw his shoulders move up and down and his belly shake. I know that he is laughing at the thought of me breaking down and sobbing all morning. He would tell me to shut up and stop crying.

"So I did. Today is the first day of my fall theatre class, and then I have a performance tonight. What better way to honor the man who taught me everything about theatre and teaching than to teach little minds about theatre and then perform in a show.

"TB, everything I learned about teaching, life, theatre, and literature stems from you. I would have never majored in English literature and education and minored in theatre. I would have never studied abroad in London. I would have never had the confidence to actually pursue my dream of teaching theatre.

"I wish we could share pancakes and coffee one more time while I have an existential crisis across the table. But you will live on through all of your students, your colleagues, and those who had the extreme honor of being in your presence.

"Every day that I teach, every day that I perform, every day that I read a book, or watch a play, I will think of you. So basically, I will think about you every single day for the rest of my life, because you helped me cultivate my interests, pursue my dreams, and make my passions my life.

"Every student I ever have will in part, be taught by you too. I promise if I ever teach AP Literature, will make them write an essay a week and read King Lear, Hamlet and Death of Salesman. Maybe I'll even let my students bully me so much that I'll let them skip reading Invisible Man. I'll pick interesting and challenging plays for my students. I'll let them learn by experimenting and I'll sit there and laugh at them when they do something utterly ridiculous.

I will love you forever and always and I hope I will continue to make you proud. Thank you for trusting me with so much, on and off the stage. It was the greatest honor of my life to be your student, actor, and friend. Thank you.”

Mayra Gonzalez also opened her heart.

“Today as I was walking on campus, I looked around and realized that all of the people around me most likely had no idea who Thomas Brennan was, nor would they ever get the chance. I realized that we all now live in a world that is deprived of Mr. Brennan's presence.

"I was lucky enough to have been in Mr. Brennan's last classes that he taught at Mattituck High School before retiring. I will always remember looking forward to walking into his class every day just to hear what music he was playing on his stereo — the same exact one my parents have at home and I hope they never throw it out or give it away.

"I remember talking to him about the tough decision ahead of me when it came down to choosing a school and how he discouraged me from choosing NYU because he did not want me to go into debt — he was always very critical of colleges sending their students into unmanageable debt. I remember the countless theater classes that resulted in me cracking up and breaking character. He always gave me hell for not being able to stay in character for long or under absurd circumstances.

"I remember making him laugh hysterically when I was chosen to do the "dun dun's" for a Law and Order SVU skit he had our whole theater class improvise. He pushed me as a writer and really tested my patience when reading books I did not enjoy, an art I have yet to master, and he encouraged me to grow as an artist and explore every aspect of theater that interested me.

"Today I regret not emailing him more and continuing to ask him how retirement was going or even asking him to go out to lunch on the occasion that I was back home from school. He, along with Amanda Barney, are the reason I love academic writing so much and continue to work towards improving and developing my voice as a writer and a scholar.

"I lament that I never got to tell him that I finally got to watch Hitchcock's Psycho last fall, as per his recommendation my senior year. But most of all I regret not telling him in person how much of an impact he made on my life as a student and as a person. His countless lessons in English and theater were a big part of that, but to me his biggest lesson was about how to be a good listener. He was always there to listen to any student who happened to pass by his room, and there wasn't a day that I walked into his room that he wasn't already talking to a student or colleague and offering up his advice.

"In his last email to me during my sophomore year, he wrote, 'There's just so much I don't know and there's a lot I do — my wish is that in the next experience I submerge into a new dimension of love, learning, and doing while making great music!' I hope your wish comes true, Mr. Brennan. Wherever you may be."

Patch courtesy photos.