Obituary of Kenneth Joseph Brenn
Kenneth Joseph Brenn, 97, of Bridgewater, NJ, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 13, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on July 4, 1927, in Summit, New Jersey, Kenneth was proud to call the Garden State his home for his entire life. He was raised in Summit and graduated from Summit High School. After growing up in Summit, he briefly resided in Chatham before settling in Warren, where he lived for 63 years and built a life centered on family, community, and service. In recent years, he moved to Bridgewater, where he spent the last three years of his life.
The day after his high school graduation, Kenneth demonstrated his profound patriotism and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He honorably served from June 1945 until his discharge in June 1946. Driven by his dedication to service, Kenneth later enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in October 1950 and earned his second honorable discharge on May 2, 1951.
Upon returning home from active duty, Kenneth joined his father at Kenneth Brenn & Son, an excavating contracting company, while also pursuing further education at New York University. Through hard work and determination, he eventually took over the family business, serving as owner and operator for many successful years.
Kenneth was an active leader in his community, serving several terms as the mayor of Warren, New Jersey, and as a member of the Warren Township Council. He also played a great and vital role in the completion of the Veterans War Memorial in the township, an accomplishment that was a great source of pride and honor for him.
His commitment to public service extended beyond his town—he was a dedicated member of the Somerset County Planning Board. Kenneth’s influence reached even further as a passionate advocate in the world of auto racing. As the past president of the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC), he was a lifelong enthusiast whose love for racing began in childhood when his father would take him to races. Later, he and his friends would sneak into the racetrack, fueled by their excitement for the sport. Kenneth went on to become a well-respected and honored car owner.
In addition to his civic and professional endeavors, Kenneth found joy in life’s simplest pleasures. He enjoyed day trips, dining out, tending to his flowers, ice cream, spending sunny afternoons sunbathing in a lounge chair. He also had a knack for completing jigsaw puzzles. Kenneth was devoted to his wife Dorothy and intensely proud of his children.
Kenneth was a devoted family man. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Dorothy Brenn, in 2019, and his son, Kenneth Jr. He is survived by his children: Chris, Elaine, Bill, Jim, and Kathleen, as well as his 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought immense joy to his life.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Mount Chapel, 167 Mount Bethel Rd., Warren, NJ. Interment will follow at St. Teresa Cemetery, Summit, NJ.
Kenneth’s legacy of service, dedication, and love will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew him.
