Submitted by Harry Ruppenicker
(April 11, 2023) —Friends of Brendan Saunders were shocked to learn that he had passed away on Saturday April 8, 2023 due to complications from routine knee surgery.
Saunders, along with his wife, Deep River Native Mary “Costello” Saunders and their daughter Jorden, are residents of Clinton. He was raised in Westbrook and attended school there K-12.
In 2020 Saunders ran as the Republican candidate for State Senate in the 33rd District. As a first-time candidate, he campaigned vigorously in the District’s twelve towns and, despite being outspent 3-1 by an entrenched incumbent, came within a few percentage points of winning his race.
In 2021 Saunders was elected Chairman of the Clinton Republican Town Committee; he is widely credited with revitalizing that organization. He served on Town Boards and was active in several Republican organizations.
Saunders was employed as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Courtyard Marriott in Cromwell. He served on the Hospitality Advisory Board of Manchester Community College. Saunders was also an ordained Baptist Minister. He served as the Founding Pastor of Lighthouse Community Church of Westbrook from 2008-2017, stepping down to focus on the creation of The Fusion Podcast, an online forum providing lighthearted conversations about life and faith for young adults.
