Obituary: Josephine “Jo Ann” Longobardi Brennan, 83, of Northford

Obituary courtesy of East Haven Memorial Funeral Home:

Josephine “Jo Ann” Longobardi Brennan 83, died peacefully on Tuesday May 30, 2023 at The Grimes Center in New Haven. She was the widow of Dalton H. Brennan and formerly of Pardee Pl in East Haven. She was born in New Haven on May 13, 1940, daughter of the late Salvatore and Angeline Perrelli Longobardi and lived in East Haven for over 60 years, moving to her son and daughter-in-law’s home in Northford in 2010.

Mrs. Brennan was a graduate of St. Mary High School and Quinnipiac University. She was appointed first clerk of the Eighth Circuit Court in Branford, Criminal Division, and held that position for four years. She was a licensed funeral director who owned and operated East Haven Memorial Funeral Home, the family business, for 30 years after illness had forced her fathers retirement in 1983. She served as President of the Greater New Haven Funeral Directors Association (1981-1984) and the Connecticut Funeral Director’s Association in 1994. She was active in community affairs, serving as clerk of the East Haven Planning & Zoning Commission, Clerk of the East Haven Board of Education, a member of the School Building Committee during the construction of the new EHHS, President of the East Haven Democratic Woman’s Club for several years, a member of the East Haven Democratic Town Committee, the East Haven Chamber of Commerce, St. Vincent dePaul Church Parish Council, and served as the general Chairman of the church’s annual “festa” for three years, St. Vincent’s School Home School Association, and East Haven High School Athletic Booster Clubs. Mrs. Brennan also served on the Fire Protection Board for the State of CT Consumer Protection Commission under both Governor O’Neill and Governor Weicker, the Advisory Board of the Bank of New Haven and was Co-Chair of the dedication committee of the T. William Webster Bridge in East Haven. She was also a member of the Joyful Ladies/ Jolly Gents Luncheon Club.

Together with her husband, she enjoyed traveling and was fortunate enough to visit most of the 50 states, Mexico, Canada and southern Europe and go on several cruises. She was an avid Yankee fan for over 70 years and enjoyed ceramics, bowling, playing pinochle online and doing puzzles and word games.

Jo Ann is survived by her son James and his wife Maryann Guida Brennan, and David Brennan, three beloved grandchildren Jason, Melissa and Dalton Brennan.

Mrs. Brennan’s family will be receiving friends on SUNDAY June 4, 2023 from 4:00PM-7:00PM at East Haven Memorial Funeral Home -425 Main St East Haven. Her funeral will leave East Haven Memorial Funeral Home on MONDAY June 5, 2023 at 10:30 AM for a mass of Christian Burial at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish-St. Vincent dePaul Church (80 Taylor Ave East Haven) at 11:00 AM. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in East Lawn Cemetery.