Doug Brennan, 57, of Columbus, Ohio, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 due to a sudden cardiac event, while on vacation with his wife.  Doug was committed to his faith, and walked the earth with a light and a lightness that will be sorely missed as he takes his permanent place with his Lord and Savior.

Doug lived his life in service to others, spreading joy to family, friends, the Water for Good team, and colleagues at Microsoft, where he worked for 30 years.  With a genuine spark and smile, Doug would make you feel like you were the most important person in the world.  You didn’t just like Doug, you wanted to be with him.  Even as a kid, Doug included everyone, and made them feel valued and loved.  He was a catalyst of social connection, bringing together everyone in his circle, with his signature statement “talk amongst yourselves.”  At the end of the day, Doug was always there.  Requests of him were barely finished before he would interrupt and say, “Done.”

Doug had a way of seeing the essence of a person and knew how to nurture that essence.  He was the blueprint for being a good human, and led by example.  Doug was exceptionally proud of his two sons, Danny and Robby, with whom he had transitioned from father to best friend, instilling in them the foundation to be the independent men of integrity that we see today.  In addition, he was an involved mentor to Leslie’s sons and daughter-in-law, who he referred to and thought of as his own.  His character was so consistent that “What would Doug do?” became a constant refrain.

Doug married Leslie, the love of his life, on May 25, 2019.  They set off on adventures far and wide, inseparable, living much more than the six years they actually shared together.  Anyone in their presence could see the depth of his love for Leslie, his “Hottie.”

Doug’s joy reached all the way to the heart of Africa.  Over 20 years ago, he volunteered on a medical mission trip to one of the poorest countries in the world, the Central African Republic.  He fell in love with the country, and he felt called to make a more lasting impact in the lives of the children he met.  So, in a leap of faith, he became the founding Board President of Water for Good, with the goal to empower local people and ensure every man, woman, and child in the country has safe and lasting water.  Over the next 18 years, he used his experience in business to lead the board and improve operations. He visited Africa over a dozen times.  The local staff will remember “Mr. Doug” for his smile, laugh and optimism.  Today, nearly a million more people have lasting, safe water.  Doug was honored to be part of this legacy.

In addition to his wife Leslie, Doug is survived by sons Danny and Robby, mother Margaret Paparella, father Thomas Brennan, brother Greg (Leslie), Leslie’s sons Tyler (Rachael), Jordan and Spencer, grandchildren Carter, Reagan and Madison, and nieces/nephews Neil (Erica), Paul, John, Sarah (Collin), Adrienne (Paul), and Will.

A “Doug Day” celebration will be held on August 7, 2022 at 2pm at The Bluestone, 583 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH, 43215. We invite anyone who knew him to attend and reminisce about his wonderful life.

Memorial donations may be made to Water for Good (https://waterforgood.org) so Doug’s legacy can be amplified.

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