Western Massachusetts officials are remembering the life and work of Tim Brennan, the longtime leader of a regional planning agency. Brennan died last week of cancer at the age of 73.
Brennan led the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission for 40 years before retiring last year.
Wayne Feiden, Northampton's planning director, said Brennan rightfully is credited with helping to expand passenger rail service, and cleaning up the Connecticut River.
Feiden said there's something else Brennan should be remembered for.
"The bigger legacy was just the role of planning in everyday life," he said. "Conversations about transportation in the valley always included Tim. Conversations about statewide planning efforts always included Tim. He was really just sort of there and saying how planning can make the world a better place."
Springfield Congressman Richard Neal called Brennan a "public servant with great vision."
A memorial service will be arranged sometime in the future, the PVPC said, because of the ongoing coronavirus situation.