PORTLAND, Maine — Editor's note: The video attached to this story was published April 13, 2018.
Portland native Joseph E. Brennan, who served as the governor of Maine from 1979 to 1987, died peacefully at his home on Munjoy Hill. He was 89 years old.
Brennan, a Democrat, was lauded for his lifetime of service to the people of Maine during his political career and beyond.
Brennan was born in Portland in 1934 and was the fifth of eight children to parents John and Catherine Brennan, who were immigrants from Ireland and spoke Gaelic at home, according to his obituary. The Irish community was one he held close throughout his lifetime.
After graduating from Cheverus High School in 1952, Brennan decided to join the U.S. Army, where he served from 1953 to 1955. Brennan then attended Boston College on the G.I. bill, by the apparent urging of his older sister. After graduating with his bachelor's degree, Brennan returned to Portland again, where he pursued a law degree at the University of Maine School of Law, graduating first in his class.
By 1963, Brennan had joined a law firm but was encouraged to run for office.
He ran successfully for the Maine Legislature and won a House seat at age 29, ushering the start of his long career in politics.
In 1970, he was elected to serve as the attorney for Cumberland County. But by 1972, he returned Augusta, this time holding a seat in the Maine Senate, where he was named the party's minority leader.
Brennan's first run for Maine governor was in 1974, but he lost to George Mitchell in the primary. The loss simply led to a career pivot, however. Brennan was elected to serve as Maine attorney general in 1975 and was re-elected for the post in 1977.
One of his most notable political achievements during his time was for his participation in the negotiations between tribes in Maine and the federal government, resulting in the Indian Land Claims settlement of 1980, which was signed by then President Jimmy Carter..
In 1978, Maine voters elected Brennan to serve as their 70th governor, a role he served for two terms until 1987. He was the first Democrat to win in all 16 counties since the Civil War. Brennan ran again for governor in 1990 and in 1994 but was unsuccessful both times.
But Brennan's political career wasn't even close to being over yet.
From 1987 until 1991, Brennan served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives elected by Maine's 1st Congressional District.
Brennan then went on to serve three presidents, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, as a commissioner with the Federal Maritime Commission from 1999 until his retirement in 2013.
In 1994, Brennan married Connie LaPointe, who at the time was vice president of Citibank in Maine and was described as a Democratic activist. He is survived by his wife; two children, J.B. and Tara; and three grandchildren.
Service arrangements will be announced by the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland.
Joe Brennan speaks with NEWS CENTER Maine in 2001:
Statements on Brennan's passing
Condolences poured in from current and former Maine politicians, sharing memories and celebrating Brennan's legacy.
Gov. Janet Mills
“Maine and the nation have lost a great public servant, and I have lost a friend. Through five decades of public service – as a state legislator, County Attorney, Attorney General, Member of Congress, Federal Maritime Commissioner, and as Maine’s 70th Governor — Joe Brennan never stopped working to improve the lives of Maine people. The proud son of Irish immigrants, Gov. Brennan’s career was guided by the core values of hard work, fairness, friendship, and a drive to help those who needed a helping hand, values which he learned growing up on working class Munjoy Hill in Portland.
“I saw Joe Brennan’s character and decency up close when I worked for him when he was Attorney General. In 1980, Governor Brennan took a chance on a young woman lawyer, appointing me as Maine’s first woman District Attorney, over the objections of a number of men at the time. That appointment, little did I know then, put me on the path years later to become the first woman to serve as Governor of Maine.
“More importantly, Gov. Brennan demonstrated for me and others that politics is about building relationships, that public service is not about enriching yourself but about enriching the lives of others, and that the most important relationship is the one we have with the people we serve.
“Governor Brennan’s philosophy was perhaps best summed up by the slogan featured on one of his campaign buttons: ‘every one counts’. On behalf of the people of Maine, I extend my deepest condolences to Joe’s wife Connie, his children, JB and Tara, and the entire Brennan family.”
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine
“Joe Brennan dedicated his life to public service, serving as Cumberland County District Attorney, in the Maine Legislature, as Maine’s Attorney General, as a twice-elected Governor, as a member of Congress, and as a member of the Federal Maritime Commission. He cared deeply for the people of his native state and served them well," Collins said. "My heart goes out to his wife Connie and to his children.”
Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine
“I’m saddened to hear of Joseph Brennan’s passing and offer my sincere condolences to his wife Connie, children Joseph (JB) and Tara, loved ones, and friends. Joe came from humble immigrant Irish beginnings and grew up in a large family of little means on Munjoy Hill. In return for the opportunities he received here, Joe devoted his life to public service—serving our state as Attorney General, as Governor, and as Congressman, in the seat I now hold. He truly was someone who always put others in front of himself. I do not think it would be wrong to suggest that he was one of Maine's greatest Governors. Joe was deeply committed to social justice, economic equality, and protecting our environment, and I always greatly appreciated his guidance and friendship. Maine will forever be grateful for his service, and he will be missed."
Former Gov. and current U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine
"Joe Brennan was a stalwart member of Maine’s leadership for years – he was always very decent, thoughtful and tried to do the right thing. He also worked well with the Maine State Legislature, got along with everybody and nobody knew Maine or Maine politics better.
"In many ways, Joe Brennan was the embodiment of the American dream – the son of a longshoreman who grew up in a working-class household and neighborhood, rising to hold the highest profile positions in the state: Maine State Senator, Attorney General, Governor, Member of Congress.
"His loss is a great loss for Maine – a stand-up, standout, decent man who strived to do the right thing for Maine."
Former Gov. John Baldacci
“Gov. Brennan was a friend, a mentor and a dedicated servant to the people of Maine. It’s difficult to put into words what he has meant to me and my family and to the entire state. He was a man of the highest integrity, who led the Maine through difficult times. He believed that he had an obligation to make things better, and he lived that ideal through his commitment to public education and improving the state’s economy. Even during the most difficult times, he approached his role with compassion and humor. He always understood that he worked for the people of Maine and tried every day to make their lives better.”
Baldacci served in the state senate during Brennan’s time in the Blaine House.
“We campaigned together and would sometimes travel together to events in Bangor. He was always a gentleman, he was always prepared, and he recognized that while Maine might be organized around towns and cities, our state’s real foundation is built upon the families who live and work here. Like my father, he conducted politics the right way – with honesty and integrity. He treated people the way he wanted to be treated.”
“Maine will miss Joe. I will miss Joe. Karen and I send Joe’s his wife, Connie, and son, J.B., our sincerest condolences. My hope is that Joe’s legacy of leadership and the positive impact he had on so many people will bring them some small amount of peace during this difficult time. Our state has lost a great man.”
NEWS CENTER Maine reporter Don Carrigan, who covered Brennan during his terms as Maine governor and attorney general
“Gov. Brennan was a guy who achieved great success in his life but never forgot his working-class roots in Portland. He would talk about working on the docks and hustling pool games as a young man and joke about life in his Irish neighborhood. But he also graduated college and law school and served in the Legislature and as attorney general before becoming governor. By today’s standards, I think he would be considered a conservative Democrat.
"He cared about helping the poor and improving education, but he was also the first Maine governor I heard use the phrase, 'The best social service program is a job.' He pushed hard on economic development strategies in different parts of the state and, as many politicians do, looked for ways to spread the money around. On the campaign trail in 1982 and after, he would summarize part of his job strategy as building 'cargo ports, fish piers, and potato-packing sheds.'
"Joe Brennan was typically gracious and friendly to those of us in the press, although he could be quick with a sharp comeback if someone criticized what he was doing. He was almost always willing to make time to answer reporters’ questions, though we were told that inside the State House he could be a tough negotiator within his own party and with Republicans, during those years."
Maine Irish Heritage Center
"All of Maine and the Nation have lost an outstanding leader and public servant. We mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Governor Joseph E. Brennan, the son of Irish Immigrants, who dedicated his life to his core belief that government should be used to improve the lives of its citizens.
"Maine is a better place, its children healthier, its educational system stronger, its workforce more vibrant, and its land and water cleaner due to the vision and leadership of Joseph E. Brennan.
"Our hearts go out to his wife Connie and his family. And we extend our deepest gratitude for his five decades of public service—for his own accomplished career and for all those he helped along the way."
The Maine Irish Heritage Center said it will sound its bell noon Sunday, April 7, in honor of Brennan.
