Michael “Mike” John Brennan,

 

Michael “Mike” John Brennan, 84, formerly of New Bloomfield, passed away peacefully at The Woods at Cedar Run in Camp Hill on April 17, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on August 1, 1939, in Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, Mike was the son to the late Bernard and Rose (Bauer) Brennan.

Mike was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in New Bloomfield.

A Cameron County High School graduate, Mike earned his bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University and served as an award-winning Park Superintendent at Little Buffalo State Park in Newport for 35 years. While at Little Buffalo, he and his staff restored Shoaff’s Mill to working condition. It continues to operate as a museum, grinding and cracking corn and grinding apples for cider. Clay’s Covered Bridge was relocated during Mike’s tenure as Holman Lake was created.

As an avid outdoorsman and nature enthusiast, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and birdwatching. Mike was a certified master gardener dedicated to propagating Pennsylvania native species. He served on many Perry County Boards, including tourism and those concerning history, as well as the first board of the Perry Health Center in Loysville.

Most of all, Mike was a devoted family man, always supporting his children and grandchildren. Mike was well known for loving life and cherishing every moment here on earth with his family.

Mike is survived by his three daughters, Leslie Heimbaugh (husband Timothy) of Newport, Molly Moore (husband William) of New Cumberland, Karen Clay of Mechanicsburg; his son Bernard Brennan of Mechanicsburg; three sisters, Frances Guisto of Emporium, PA, Margaret Summerson (husband Steve) of Emporium, and Teresa Petrazzio (husband Mark) of Moneta, VA; 10 grandchildren, Kelsey Heimbaugh, Michael Heimbaugh, Jake Heimbaugh, Maggie Heimbaugh, Samuel Brennan; Ian Clay (wife Kelsey), Benjamin Clay, Mackenzie Brennan-Smith (husband Trevor), Hannah Brennan, and Kaelin Brennan; and one great-granddaughter, Kiera Brennan-Smith.

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death on December 13, 2023, by his devoted wife of 60 years, Kathleen Brennan, and many years earlier by his sister, Patricia Benedict.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in memory of Michael and Kathleen Brennan on Saturday, May 18, at 11:00 am at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 811 Shermans Valley Rd, New Bloomfield. A Celebration of Life for Mike and Kathleen will be held on Saturday, May 25, at 2:00 pm at Little Buffalo Campground Recreation Center, 483 Black Hill Rd, Newport. Interment will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, at the convenience of the family.

In place of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or to the Perry County Literacy Council, P.O. Box 37, Newport, PA 17074.