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Volume CXXXIII, Number 12 |
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James J. Brosnan, 1936-2001
JAMES FISHER
ORIENT STAFF
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| James J. Brosnan, foreground. (Courtesy of Joyce Whittemore) |
A college employee with 16 years and 364 days of Bowdoin
employment under his belt passed away this week. James J. Brosnan, 65,
was a housekeeper who had worked in the Physical Plant, Morrell Gym, and
several dorms during his career. Before he came to Bowdoin, Brosnan served
as an electronics technician in the Navy for 25 years. He suffered a heart
attack on campus Tuesday morning; Wednesday would have marked his 17th
year here since joining in 1984 as a custodian in the physical plant.
Brosnan's favorite place to work, colleagues said, was the
gym, where he developed friendships with players and coaches over the
years. Brosnan would arrange his schedule in order to prep the gym floor
for basketball games, and on his days off often came to watch athletic
events, especially football and basketball.
A Boston area native, Brosnan read the Globe daily for the
market and sports news. At staff meetings, "he wasn't one to talk
for the sake of talking, but if he had a point to make, he'd make it,"
housekeeper Jon Tobey said, "and he could back it up."
In a message to the campus this week, President Barry Mills
said that "Jim will be remembered as a dedicated, loyal member of
the Bowdoin Community."