Mark A. Brennan

Mark A. Brennan, 75, a lifelong resident of Carbondale, died peacefully at the Regional Hospital of Scranton on Friday, August 20th with his family at his side.

Born in Carbondale, son of the late Mark and Margaret Moran Brennan, he was a lifetime parishioner of Saint Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale.  Mark was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Class of 1965, Carbondale, and he attended Keystone College.  He served in the Pennsylvania National Guard and provided security in the aftermath of Hurricane Agnes.  He was initially employed as an engineer by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad at Scranton, at the current site of Steamtown National Historic Site, and later by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.  He served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the General Committee of Adjustments for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Delaware & Hudson System, and he was responsible for establishing Division 220 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers at Hornell, NY.  He was a manager for the National Park Service at the Steamtown National Historic Site, where he served initially as Chief of Rail Operations, responsible for all aspects of the park’s rail operations; he received commendations from the Federal Railroad Administration for developing operational and safety programs that met and exceeded regulations.  Prior to his retirement, he served as Chief of Interpretation, Visitor Services, and Public Affairs, managing the park's interpretive programs, visitor activity, and media relations.  He was instrumental in bringing the popular Canadian Pacific Holiday Train and Amtrak to Steamtown, as well as securing permission from Canadian Pacific management to operate excursions to the Tunkhannock Viaduct (Nicholson Viaduct).

Mark was a man of strength and character, with a zest for life.  He never took life too seriously, and he found that there was humor in almost every life experience; he could defuse tense situations with his wonderful self-deprecating humor.  Mark was a voracious reader and avid sports fan who enjoyed watching his Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions.  He was an avid golfer, especially when playing with family members, and he enjoyed gardening.  He will be greatly missed by all.

Surviving are a son: Mark Brennan and wife Christine, State College; two daughters: Christen Brennan Pinto and husband Robert, Plains; Stephanie Aldrich and husband Joshua, Courtdale; three grandchildren: Joshua, Tyler, and Samantha Cox, and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.  Arrangements by the Brennan & Brennan Funeral Home, Inc., 55 Lincoln Avenue, Carbondale.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to a charity of your choice in his name.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mark A. Brennan, please visit our floral store.