A memorial mass for former U.S. Trotting Association director John Brennan has been scheduled for Saturday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church in Belle Harbor, N.Y., according to an announcement from the Denis S. O’Connor Funeral Home.

Brennan, a USTA director for 23 years and chairman of District 12, passed March 10, 2020, due to COVID-19, which was exacerbated by existing health problems. A resident of New Jersey, he was reported to be the state’s first coronavirus victim.

A native of Rockaway Beach, N.Y., he began his career in harness racing in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Brennan trained horses for more than 40 years, racing stables in New York and New Jersey. He won the 1995 Merrie Annabelle with Missy Will Do It and was part owner and trainer of Sugar Trader, winner of the 2003 Yonkers Trot and runner-up in the 2003 Hambletonian.

In addition to his service as USTA director, which began with his election in 1997, he was on the board of the SOA of New York for more than 30 years and an HHI delegate for more than 20 years.

At the time of his death, he was the horsemen’s representative at Yonkers Raceway.

Arrangements for John R. Brennan Memorial Mass

When: Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 11 a.m.
Where: St. Francis de Sales Church
129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd
Belle Harbor, NY 11694

(USTA)