Brendan Hallett
Brendan Hallett, age 58, of LaGrange Highlands, passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Jennifer (nee Rensch); loving father of Aidan, Seth, and Caroline; cherished brother of Brian, Robert (Chris), Dan, and Mike; devoted son of the late Thomas Hallett, the late Marcia Stocking, and stepmother Diane; and the Flynn family of Dublin, Ireland.
Brendan was born April 1st, 1966, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated in 1984 from R. Nelson Snider High School. He served honorably in Naval Intelligence during the Cold War as a CTI specializing in Russian. He went on to graduate from Indiana University Bloomington with degrees in Russian and French.
Brendan began his professional career with Hull Trading Company as a data center professional. Later, he worked for Goldman Sachs eventually promoted to vice president. For the past 16 years he has worked for the Chicago Trading Company as data center manager where he achieved success and developed many fulfilling professional relationships.
In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Brendan was a keen genealogical researcher who traced his family history back to the 1550’s. Brendan was a die-hard Indiana Hoosier fan. Brendan traveled the world and relished relationships he considered extended family in Ireland and France.
In addition to flowers, the family asks that donations be made towards his children’s college fund. To donate please click this link.
Visitation 4 to 9pm on Tuesday, August 6th at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Family and friends to meet directly at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Downers Grove, on Wednesday, August 7th for a 2pm Funeral Service. Burial and Military Honors to take place at 12pm on Thursday, August 8th at Highland Park Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Dear Jennifer, Aidan, Seth and Caroline. We are so truly saddened by the loss of your dear husband, father and our friend, Brendan. He was a true gentleman and such a kind soul, we will keep him in our thoughts and prayers always. Our deepest condolences to you and all of the extended family. All our love, Amy, Gerrard and Baby Noah x
May faith and friends bring Brendan’s family comfort.
Brendan was my nephew, Jim Pilon’s best friend. He shared many stories of their good times together. Sending strength and support during this difficult time to all that were fortunate enough to know Brendan.
Jennifer, Aidan, Seth, and Caroline,
I am so sorry for your loss.
As you may know, Brendan and I met in the 8th grade. Although we didn’t get much chance to see each other in recent years, I have always considered him my oldest and dearest friend. He has had an enormous impact on my life.
I know it’s been a rough several months for all of you. But I also know that your love and support for Brendan was a great comfort to him.
We were so sorry to hear about Brendan’s passing. Jim Pilon is our son and we have heard lovely stories about your family.
We will remember your family i n our prayers.
Dan and Cartwright
Jennifer Seth Aidan Caroline I am so sorry for your loss on your husband and father brendan I have great memories of Brendan in Ireland your second home we are gonna miss u so much rip Brendan ya legend love from Dublin Ireland X X x
Jennifer, Aidan, Seth, and Caroline,
I am so sorry for your loss.
I met Brendan at CTC. He’s been a good friend and the best coworker anyone could Possibly have Such a kind person He will be missed.
Dear Hallett Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Brendan was one of my best friends at CTC since I started in 2010. He was just the best co-worker and friend anyone could ask for. I’ll never forget him singing 99 Luftballons in German every time we went out singing karaoke without even glancing at the words on the screen! He brought so much joy to everyone who knew him – he was always smiling, laughing and spreading positivity everywhere he went. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Hallet Family,
My name is Mike Schwager and I worked with Brendan for the last 7 years. As you no doubt are aware, Brendan worked many long hours. I have fond memories of just me and him on the 12th floor of 425 S. Financial Place, burning the midnight oil. He was a driven, dedicated colleague. But that’s just work.
I’ll never forget my first days at CTC. I was given a tour of the datacenter, and I thought, “My God- if the rest of the company is like this, we have no peers in the industry!” It was a work of beauty. I used to work at a company that had very nice datacenters- crisp, clean, cables the proper length, nothing left dangling- but CTC’s datacenters are a cut above. Maybe two. No- definitely two. Maybe 3. No- definitely 3, 3 cuts above. Gorgeous. Color coded. Labelled. Beautiful cabling. Proper documentation. And that was Brendan. He led that team and set the standards. But that’s just work.
Brendan? He made it easy(ier) to come to work. Because his stuff just worked- every time. And it was not stuff that could be automated, racking servers and such. You had to write it down and put it in a database. And even that was gorgeous. 99.9% accurate. Phenomenal, even with the human element figured in. But still- just friggin’ work.
What made Brendan such a joy and inspiration is the person behind that work. Not even behind the work- work aside, just him sitting at the desk. No matter the pressure cooker we were under, the tight deadlines- the impossible deadlines- the workload- Brendan always seemed to be holding up. And holding up well, which helped us hold up. He had an attitude that was great to be around. Upbeat and generous to a fault. Honest and forthright. He had these qualities that were obvious at first meeting him.
I loved Brendan, and I will miss him too too much. He was such a colleague, such a mensch, and he had great taste in music. I learned that when I heard the English Beat from the other side of the room one evening. Now there’s a dude, full stop.
We’re all on this planet just a short while, and we most of us have a short reach to those who are here around us. Brendan’s reach went deep into my heart, and that’s mostly why I loved working with him. He was the best person at CTC, I can say that without reservation (sorry to my other colleagues but he was my favorite, I’ll be honest). We’re going to be keep on keeping on because that’s what Brendan would do, and he would want us to do it. But there’s a place in my heart that will never be filled because Brendan was roaming around in it and that’s ok, I don’t need to fill it. I need to remember Brendan from time to time, and I will.
Peace out, my brother. I can’t get used to losing you.
Dear Jennifer, Aidan, Seth and Caroline. We are truly heartbroken about the loss of your beloved husband, father and our dear friend Brendan. He was a wonderful kind and thoughtful man, and a true gent. Brendan will always have a special place in our hearts. We will miss him greatly. Your friends Kevin and Carol.
Dear Jennifer, Aidan, Seth and Caroline,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep Brendan in our thoughts and prayers always. Our deepest condolences to you and all of the family.
Jessica and Conor.
Jennifer, Aidan, Seth, and Caroline,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dear Jennifer, Aidan, Seth and Caroline. We are truly heartbroken about the loss of your beloved husband We will keep Brendan in our thoughts and prayers always. Our deepest condolences to you and all of the family. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻