Brendan Curran Stack, DDS

Brendan C. Stack, Sr., DDS was born February 1, 1937 in New York City, NY to Katherine L. “Loretta” Curran of Holyoke, MA and Eugene Francis Stack, Sr. of Somerset, NJ.  Brendan was raised in New York City and Great Neck, Nassau County, Long Island, NY and attended high school at St. Francis Xavier Military School in NYC.  His mother taught at Great Neck High School and his father was an attorney in NYC. 

Brendan pursued advanced studies in Washington, DC where he attended Georgetown University receiving a Bachelors in Science, a Doctorate in Dental Surgery, and a Masters in Science from 1954-1965.  Brendan was married to Marilyn Kay Snyder of Arlington, VA upon graduation from dental school in June 1962.  His time in DC was interrupted, after his marriage, by 1 year spent in uniform with the US Public Health Service in New Orleans, LA where their first son was born, Brendan C. Stack, Jr., in 1963.

Upon completion of his uniformed service, he and Marilyn returned to the DC area and had 2 daughters, Jennifer and Maureen.  Upon completion of his master’s degree, which was also a residency in orthodontics, Brendan and Marilyn moved their family to McLean, VA.  Brendan established several private practices (Arlington, Falls Church, Springfield, and Tyson’s Corners) in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC where he practiced for almost 50 years.  While living in McLean four additional children were added to the family - Valerie, Alexander, Matthew, and Diana.  Brendan and Marilyn divorced in 1989.

Brendan’s passions in his life were his family, his dental practice, and his farm in Opal, VA.  While living in McLean, he developed many friendships and associations within his church and dental communities.  Brendan excelled at the practice of orthodontics, with a special focus on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and its impact on craniofacial pain and other disorders.  Through his success with patients, public speaking, and writing, Brendan became world renowned in his chosen area of expertise.  Consequently, he had opportunities to travel and speak widely.  He also had patients seek him out for care from across the country and from many foreign countries. 

After many contacts with the church through its members, Brendan and his family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended the McLean Ward.  Three of his children:  Brendan Jr. (Rosario, Argentina), Jennifer (Montreal, Canada), and Matthew (Denver, Colorado) served full-time missions for the Church as have many of his grandchildren:  Mallory (Chile), Chase (South Korea), Madison (Australia), London (Dominican Republic), Meridith (Utah), Sloane (Tahiti), and McAllister (California).

Brendan imparted much wisdom and many strong values to his children.  He emphasized excellence in living a life of achievement and richness.  He made education of all his children a priority and expected perfection from them in their school performance.  Points of emphasis for his sons and sons-in-law included:  Eagle Scout, returned missionary, and college graduate.  Frequent maxims he provided were “life isn’t fair” and the need to work for things you want, don’t expect them to be gifted to you.  Just like his father, Brendan would often remark with clichés such as “never get old” and “marry up”.  Brendan was a passionate person and enjoyed ice cream and Hershey’s chocolate till the very end.

Brendan was preceded in death by his parents Loretta Stack (1987) and Eugene Stack (1994) and his siblings Eugene Jr. (1951) and Lorene Ann Malman (Ben) (2012).  Brendan leaves behind his former wife Marilyn K. Stack-Lutz, Peachtree City, GA and seven children:  Dr. Brendan C. Stack, Jr. (Cynthia), Springfield, IL: Jennifer L. Wheeler (Quinn), Phoenix, AZ; Maureen K. Stack, Medford, OR; Valerie A. Waite (Eric), N. Salt Lake City, UT; Alexander J. Stack (Tasha), Daly City, CA; Matthew A. Stack (Maggie), Manassas, VA; Diana L. Milani (Scott), Longwood, FL; and 20 grandchildren:  Tanner B. Mitchell, Brendan C. Stack, III, Tarren K. Mitchell Wold (Kenny), Mallory C. Stack, Cameron E. Stack, Tallen C. Mitchell, Chase C. Wheeler, Madison H. Stack, London L. Wheeler, Meridith L. Stack, Sloane E. Wheeler, McAllister G. Stack, Gray A. Wheeler, Luke A. Waite, Jacob A. Waite, Preston M. R. Stack, Reagan E. Waite,  Ashton C. Stack, Savannah R. Milani, Brooklyn L. Miliani. 

Brendan passed away in McLean, Virginia on July 24, 2020.  He will be interred alongside his parents and brother at St. Jerome’s Cemetery, Holyoke, MA which was superintended by his uncle James “Lefty” Curran and where he and his brother “Genie” dug graves for summer employment as teenagers. Memorials can be made to the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACFP), 380 Ice Center Lane, Ste C, Bozeman, MT 59718 in lieu of flowers.

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