Michael P. Brennan, 74, of Monmouth Beach, passed away Oct. 4, 2026, at Riverview Hospital after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Michael grew up in South Orange and Freehold. He was a graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows School, Red Bank Catholic High School and Rutgers University and proudly served in the United States Army. He worked at Verizon Communications for over 25 years in various departments, including Information Technology.
He was a devoted communicant of various Catholic parishes in the state throughout his life. For many years, he led the St. Vincent Social Concerns Ministry at St. John’s Church in Lakehurst, providing food and financial assistance to those in need. He volunteered for many years with Saturday Soup at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asbury Park, a soup kitchen providing free hot meals every Saturday, and with Destiny’s Bridge, a Lakewood nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness.
Michael also organized and led three trips to New Orleans with volunteers who performed Hurricane Katrina relief work. Along with his wife Susan, he volunteered for more than 20 years with the Company of Dance Arts, a local nonprofit dance company, where he also served as a trustee.
Michael maintained active friendships with a wide circle of friends across the country. He was a beloved family member and friend who always made time for others. He was known for his fun-loving and compassionate spirit, his generosity, his love for his family and friends, and his more than 60-year devotion to The Rolling Stones.
Michael and Susan were married for 41 memorable years and enjoyed a fabulous life together with their family.
Michael was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law Dolores and Edward Lewis of Freehold; his sister-in-law Barbara Brennan of South Orange; his nephew Lawrence Brennan Jr.; and his brother and sister-in-law Donald and Laurel Brennan of Manchester.
He is survived by his wife Susan; his brother Lawrence Brennan of South Carolina; his daughter Meggan Marino, son-in-law Vincent Marino and grandson Deven Marino of Manahawkin; daughter Erin Brennan, son-in-Law Oliver Fetter, and granddaughters Nellie and Ruby Fetter of Shrewsbury; son Timothy Brennan, daughter-in-Law Jessica Vlossak and granddaughter Stella Brennan of Lawrenceville; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Michael will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A memorial visitation was held Oct. 14 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Church of the Precious Blood, 72 Riverdale Ave., Monmouth Beach. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at stjude.org or to Lunch Break in Red Bank at lunchbreak.org.
The article originally appeared in the October 15 – 21, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
