Obituary of John R. Brennessel

Brennessel,John R., age 74, of Wayland, NY passed away peacefullyMay 14, 2015 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. John was born June 11, 1940 in Lyons, NY the son of Gertrude Elizabeth (née Thielges) and Nicholas Peter Brennessel and was raised in Dansville, NY. He attended Dansville Senior High school, graduating in 1958 and went on to earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, both from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and earned his New York State Professional Engineer license in 1977. He was employed as a Civil Engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation for 38 years, retiring in 1995. After his retirement from the State of NY, he went on to work for various consultants throughout the Rochester and Buffalo regions, successfully overseeing many construction projects until his second and final retirement in 2013. John enjoyed many hobbies and activities including weather forecasting, stargazing and astronomy, jogging, cross country skiing and tobogganing, softball, garage-puttering, traveling to casinos in the motor home with his wife and his buddy Slots the dog, hiking waterfalls with his sons, letting his daughter beat him at tennis and watching birds, baseball (go Sox!), football (go Browns!) and basketball. He is predeceased by his parents, two brothers - Richard and Peter, four uncles - Paul, Bernard, Raymond and John Thielges; and is survived by his wife of 52 years, Doris, his children Barry (Dave Skanderson) Brennessel of Silver Spring, MD, Darren (Dawn Sargent) Brennessel of Rochester and Bonnie (Matt Hogan) Brennessel of Fairport, his grandcat Eartha, his granddog Miles, a sister Barbara Torpey of Dansville, a brother David of Canandaigua, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. No prior calling hours. Private interment at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations can be made to Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Farport, NY 14450. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the caring staff at Strong Memorial Hospital.