Obituary of John G. Brenner
John Gethin Brenner, age 60, of Shelton, passed away at his home on Monday, February 9, 2026.
John was the son of John Brenner and Regina Conway Brenner (both U.S. Army) of Willingboro, New Jersey, and the brother of Maureen Brenner Hamilton, a foster care social worker. They lost both parents to illness at a young age and spent time in kinship foster care.
With uncommon resolve, John went on to earn his R.N. at Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, his M.S.N. from Sacred Heart University, and his M.S. from Boston University. He served many years as an emergency room nurse and, eventually, as an APRN. Notably, he successfully resuscitated two strangers in public places in his lifetime, a toddler drowned in a pool and a runner collapsed at the local track.
He was also proud of his service as a police Lieutenant, leading investigations in Homicide and Internal Affairs departments. Before retiring early due to injury and returning to his nursing career, he solved dozens of cases. He was a member of the FBI National Academy Class 210.
John married Laurin Mlynek Brenner in the fall of 1990 and they became parents to two cherished daughters, Amanda and Kailee. John struggled with inherited physical and mental illnesses as he aged and had an often tempestuous relationship with his loved ones, but he was beyond proud of his girls. When well, he was silly, animated, and prone to musical interludes.
He loved Speed Racer, singing in the car, Dairy Queen hot dogs, steak burnt to a crisp, Sting, Diet Pepsi, Tastykakes, and animals.
In addition to his wife of 36 years, he is survived by his two daughters; several nieces and nephews, including William and Nolan Hamilton; his brothers-in-law Rich Mlynek, Tim Mlynek, Brian Hamilton and their wives; and his mother-in-law, Marilyn Ferrara Mlynek. He was predeceased by his parents, his beloved older sister Maureen Brenner Hamilton, his father-in-law Richard Mlynek, several childhood cats, and 3 cherished dogs.
A celebration of John's life will be held at a time and place to be announced.
Arrangements in care of the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.
For more information or to leave an online condolence, visit us at www.abriola.com.
Donations can be made in his memory to the National Foster Youth Institute or the research arms of the American Diabetes Association and the International OCD Foundation.