Michael T Tracy

Dr. William J. Brenan (1863-1928) Michael T Tracy

He was known as "Doc" to Plattsburgh and surrounding area residents. Dr. William J. Brenan was a prominent dentist of Plattsburgh, New York for over forty years. Brenan was considered by most to be a genial man throughout his career and spent his entire life in Plattsburgh. He had a great interest in singing and performed in front of large crowds and sung in the choir of St. John's Catholic Church for many years. The young dentist married a Canadian girl by the name of May O'Donnell and they would have four children together. William Brenan became involved in the Plattsburgh Volunteer Fire Department as a foreman serving in the department for decades. He also became involved in the Plattsburgh chapter of the Knights of Columbus becoming its Grand Knight in 1907. In addition through his ability to recite French dialect and habitant stories he was valued as an entertainer. Several times he told these interesting tales over the radio from Station WGY in Schenectady. In his later years he set up a local campaign against tuberculosis which he considered to be one of the most dreaded diseases of mankind. Brenan was a man of many talents. This then is the narrative of Dr. William James Brenan, the genial dentist of Plattsburgh.