Peter Malachy “Mal” Brennan
November 8, 1931- October 2, 2023
Peter Malachy “Mal” Brennan was born on November 8, 1931, in Mullacurry, Ireland. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 2, 2023. He was preceded in death by parents, Peter and Bridget Brennan; beloved wife, Elizabeth (Halpenny) Brennan; grandsons, Ryan Jopp and Nathaniel Brennan; brothers, Paddy Byrne, Gerry, Mattie and Ollie Brennan; sisters, Bernadette Brennan, Bridget (Ciss) Larkin, Phyllis Hamill, Maura McGrory and Peggy Connolly. He is survived by his loving children: Jerry (Lori) Brennan, David (Mary) Brennan, Brigid (David) Jopp, June Fritz, Marion (Tom) LaMontia, Irene O’Keefe, Carmel (Tim) Conway, Angela (Kevin) Fee, Sheila (Rick) Johnson and Nora (Patrick) Spencer; his loving companion, Sharon Ursick; 26 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mairie Brennan; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Peter was known as “Mal” to all his family and friends in Ireland. He was the founder of Irish Music in Omaha and formed the band, The Turfmen, who played their wonderful Irish music for 30 years in The Dubliner and Brazenhead pubs.
He was a kind, loving and generous man, full of fun and laughter, with a lifetime of wonderful stories to tell us all about growing up in Ireland, and emigrating from Ireland to Canada, and then to Omaha, and working so very hard to provide for his wife and 10 children. Peter was very proud of his family and loved us all so very much. He was dearly loved by all who knew him and even those who just met him. No one he met was a stranger, just a friend he hadn’t met yet.
Peter “Mal” Brennan will be forever missed by all of us. He lived his life to the fullest, squeezing out every last bit of time he could with those he loved. Our hearts are beyond broken but we are blessed to have had him in our lives. He is the best Father and Grandfather any of us could have asked for.
Rest in peace Daddy, we love you always. Your Accordion is quiet now but your music lives on forever in our hearts and in the loving memories of you.
VISITATION: Thursday, October 5, 2023, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 S 86th St. followed by a VIGIL SERVICE: at 6:30 p.m. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, October 6, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at church. INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the ALS Association. To view a live broadcast of the service please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
31 Comments
What a wonderful tribute to Peter! As someone told me after my ma passed “ the legacy lives on”. Such true words. ☘️
We are so blessed the Brennan family has welcomed us into their family. And we are so honored that Pete was a big part of our lives! He was a gentle soul who always had a welcoming smile on his face.. Pete we love you and will miss you, but I promise, you will never be forgotten!!!
Mal will be missed greatly here in Ireland , but as I look to the country roads , the bog of Ardee , the Cooley mountains the rivers and lakes , I hear his music , I feel the love he has for Ireland and I know his spirit is always close by . May his beautiful soul rest in the arms of the lord God with Liz by his side.. RIP Mal
Peter Brennan was a wonderful man and an inspiration for generations of Irish musicians. His charm, wit and smiling face will be missed by us and I’m sure by all who knew him. Requiescat in pace.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. Your dad was a special man and I remember his fondly.
How broken our hearts are to lose one as extraordinary as he, but also how blessed and lucky we were to have him in our lives. I will treasure forever all the happy memories of his mirth, his music , his wit, his friendship and his beautiful, generous heart. My deepest sympathy to you all. May he rest in God’s perfect peace forever and may God comfort your grieving hearts. With love, Joanie
Deepest condolences to all the Brennan family on the death of Mal will be sadly missed lots of love from Gary and Barbara Mc Shane Ardee Ireland 🇮🇪
Deepest sympathy on the passing of Mal he was a fantastic uncle to my father Jim . May his gentle soul rest in peace . Sending lots of love from Ireland
We are thinking of you all during this very sad and difficult time. Mal was a pure gentleman and was loved dearly by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. We loved his visits ❤️He will be greatly missed but will live on in all the beautiful memories made. RIP Mal with all the greats that have gone before you x
Rest in Peace uncle Mal. Condolences to Sharon and all your children and grandchildren ❤️
Wishing all Mals family & friends our deepest condolences. We loved spending time with Mal on his visits home to Ireland. I know he will be sorely missed by everyone. Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
From The Larkin Family, Mullacurry, Ireland xx
Sorry for your loss. I’m very proud that I knew your Dad. He was a very caring, loving man. Love and prayers for all of you during thing difficult time.
You will be in my prayers forever.
Pete was such a wonderful man who brought joy and happiness to everyone he met. There is a hole in my heart today, but I will forever remember his warm smile and his laugh and, of course, his wonderful Irish music! RIP Pete – you will be missed greatly!
Deepest sympathy to all the family may Mal rest in peace 🙏
Pete and Lizzie welcomed me into their home almost every Sunday for dinner when I first arrived from Ireland. I will cherish those memories of him and the family. He was a gent and will be sorely missed, but fondly remembered by everyone that he crossed paths with. Ride on Mal!
I was only in Omaha for a few years, but Peter was a very welcoming gentleman showing me great hospitality. He immediately accepted me in the Omaha Irish seisiúns that he led and was always very encouraging. I think the last time that I played with him was after a Dicey Reilly performance at the Brazen Head when an impromptu seisiún began (luckily my bodhrán was already in the car). Based on the turn out at the public birthday party that I attended I know that we will be missed by many.
Dear Brennan family,
Mr. Brennan has been a genuine trouper through so very many things. He was like the Everedy Bunny-he just kept going & going & going.
I had the utmost respect for him and for your entire family.
Bridgy and I have been friends for 60 years if not more. I had the honor of seeing most of her siblings as they were born.
I have fond memories of playing with Bridgy, Cec, Debbie Mueller and Kathy Arkwright when we were little girls. Bridgy & Deb lived right across the street from my granmdother Neno. Neno would always let us play dress up in some clothes of hers, especialy her shawl. She also had some beautiful colorful beads that we could wear for jewelry. We felt like little princesses.
Bridgy, thank you for always being a special part of my life. You’ve been there for me through thick and thin. I will always love you and cherish our friendship.
My condolences to the rest of the family both here and in Ireland.
God Bless! ❤️ ☘️
God rest mal. Deepest sympathy to the whole family
Deepest sympathies to all Mals family. It was a pleasure to meet him on his many trips home to Co Louth. You are all in my prayers & thoughts. Love, Noel, Amanda & Denise Murtagh xx
Peter had such a kind soul. Such a great Irish accent. Raised a bunch of great kids. Alot of Brennan’s and Cyr’s went to Cathedral High School together. Cathedral where Peter led the Turfman to some great Irish music. We will miss you Peter.
☘️🕯️🕯️🕯️☘️Hail the Traveler! Condolences to all family and friends.
We are very sorry for your loss . Pete was a very nice man i always will remember whenever i would see Pete his smile would just light the room up
Thinking of you all over the next few days 💚💚💚 Uncle Mal ment the world to us all, we will treasure the memories he left us forever, the stories he told and the music he played, rest in peace you beautiful soul 🙏 love always Sharon, Mark, Ciaran & Chloe 🇨🇮 ☘💚
Thinking of all Mal’s family & Sharon at this very sad time, I’m so very sorry for your loss 💔 Mal was an inspiration and a man to be admired, his lovefor his family and music was what made him so special, rest in peace Mal 🙏💚.Joan Brennan, Mullacurry , Dromin 🇨🇮
So sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace Mal.a true gentleman. Lorraine Burns née Brennan ,Thiass daughter and family Condolences to Sharon and all the family
So sorry for the loss. He will certainly be missed!
Sincere sympathy to Sharon and all the Brennan family on the sad passing of Mal.May he rest in peace.
Sincere condolences to Brigid and all the Brennan family on the death of Mal. I remember Mal dancing at the Carnival in Collon in the 50s. May he rest in peace.
My heart goes out to Angela and her entire family. 💔 Your dad will always be remembered playing his accordian, the one thing he took pride in his heritage. Priceless nights when he’d play that for us after a night of partying! Love n hugs to the entire Brennan family
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