David Patrick Brannan, 61, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away on August 13, 2026, after a brief illness. Known locally to many as “Irish Dave”, he was a proud Milwaukee native, born on May 26, 1965, to the late John “Jack” Brannan and the late Elaine Brannan (nee Ballsieper).

Dave graduated from Pius XI High School before earning a degree in creative writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He channeled that education into a lifelong love of language, poetry and even a few neighborhood bar reviews with equal care and wit. His poem “Glacier, Mountain, Falls” was published in the anthology Thinking Continental: Writing the Planet One Place at a Time by the University of Nebraska Press in 2017, a distinction that reflected his genuine creative talent.

Dave loved his work as a paralegal for the City of Milwaukee Attorney’s Office, where he was a valued colleague known for bringing excellence, professionalism, kindness, and a terrific sense of humor to his job every day. His coworkers knew him not only as someone who took great pride in his work but as someone who made the workplace brighter.

To know Dave was to be constantly amazed. Poet, historian, linguist, philosopher, musicologist, comedian and a sharp political observer, he was one of the most learned people you could ever meet. He could recite everything from poetry to old television jingles from memory and was always on the hunt for a good joke to add to his arsenal. He had a remarkable gift with language and speaking, and he was well known for the many toasts he offered at dinners and gatherings. He was especially fond of the Scottish poet Robert Burns, serving as a member and newsletter editor of the Robert Burns Club of Milwaukee for several years. He was known to break into spontaneous recitations of Burns’s verses for the entertainment of his friends.

Above all, Dave was extraordinarily generous and kind, qualities that touched every person fortunate enough to know him.

He will be forever missed by his loving partner of 39 years, Peggy Houghton; his sisters Diane Brannan and Tracie Brannan; his brother, Mark Demulling (A.J.) and nephew Jim Belden; his adopted family Doug Houghton, Bill Houghton (Pam) and niece Neko Houghton. His warmth is missed daily by his beloved kitties, Kahlua and Ringo.

A celebration of David’s life with many a toast to be raised will take place at a future date. Details will be shared with family and friends as they are arranged.