Rev. Gary Brennan, 64, pastor and 'encourager'

Gary Brennan worked as a bank manager for the former Lenape State Bank in Deptford in the 1980s and 1990s. Then he became an accountant in Philadelphia for Cigna, the health services firm.

But "he always had the calling to be a pastor, because he loved people and loved serving the Lord," his wife, Christine, said in an interview.

So in 1996, he became a licensed Methodist pastor.

On Tuesday, April 21, the Rev. Gary Brennan, 64, of Deptford, pastor at Colonial Manor United Methodist Church in West Deptford, died of leukemia at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Born in Woodbury, he graduated from Gloucester City High School in 1969 and later studied at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, which today teaches students from more than 30 denominations.

The Rev. Peter J. Broomall recalled meeting Mr. Brennan in 1995 in Cherry Hill, "at a meeting for those who were exploring ministry" careers.

Broomall, who left a career at the former Mobil Oil Co., is now pastor at both the Malaga United Methodist Church and the Porchtown Zion United Methodist Church.

Both in their mid-40s when they made career changes, he said the two later studied at Wesley.

"He was a very compassionate man," Broomall said. "He was an encourager and put others first."

Mr. Brennan studied at Wesley Seminary each summer from 1996 to 2006, while working as a Methodist pastor in South Jersey, his wife said.

In the late 1990s, she said, Mr. Brennan accepted responsibility for two churches, preaching the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at Memorial United Methodist Church in Pine Hill and the 11 a.m. service at Wesley United Methodist Church in West Berlin.

From 2000 to 2012, she said, he was the pastor at Westville United Methodist Church and, since 2006, he was also pastor at the Colonial Manor Church.

"He used to preach at nursing homes, and visit people that were sick or in prison," she said. "He had something every week."

Despite lifelong diabetes, which had made walking difficult, she said, "he would have food baskets made up for people around holidays and deliver them himself."

Besides his wife, Mr. Brennan is survived by son Bryan Brennan and stepson Michael Helms, a brother, and five grandchildren.

A visitation is set from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Colonial Manor United Methodist Church, 56 Elberne Ave., West Deptford, before a life celebration there at 4 p.m.

Donations may be sent to a food bank of one's choice.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccannhealey.com.