Mark Sean Brennan

Mark Sean Brennan, 53, passed away on January 4, 2026, in New York City following a brief battle with cancer. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, January 18, at 1:30 p.m. at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church in Tennille, Georgia, with Elder Kenneth Brantley officiating.

Sean, as he was known, was born on July 14, 1972, to Mark Joseph, Jr. and Vicki Weller Brennan in Salisbury, Maryland. From a young age, he enjoyed summers on the Eastern shore working in his godparents’ restaurant, starting as a tot-sized greeter at age three and graduating to dishwasher, busboy, and server. The family relocated to his mother’s hometown of Sandersville, Georgia, where Sean graduated from Brentwood School in 1991.

In high school, Sean displayed a keen interest in creative writing and theater, starring in one-act play productions and representing his school as a soloist and quartet member at literary competition. Upon graduation, he cast his sights on the bright lights of New York City and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in the directing program. He eventually left school to pursue his writing and creative pursuits while working in the hospitality industry he’d known since childhood. Through the years, Sean managed operations for several successful restaurant and hotel brands in New York City. Capitalizing on his glowing reputation and years of knowledge, he founded MSB Creative, a restaurant consultancy specializing in building brand recognition and customer service training programs. Simultaneously, he continued his craft as a prolific writer and was invited to read from his poems and short stories at notable writers’ series around the city.

Sean’s life path changed when he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2010. Armed with a name to attach to his years of depression, he left the restaurant industry to embark on a path of healing and helping others. In 2016 he graduated from The Howie T. Harp Advocacy Center and became a New York State-certified mental health peer advocate. He also studied urban farming and food justice at Farm School NYC and The Urban Justice Center, embracing the “food as medicine” movement. Recognizing the holistic benefits of fresh food and the act of gardening on psychological and physical health, Sean launched a nonprofit organization, Brain Food Garden Project (BFGP), the realization of a long-held vision he had of creating urban garden spaces that inspire community engagement and raise awareness about the linkages between nutrition and mental wellness. He blogged extensively and conducted a variety of workshops, garden projects and trainings, speaking about food, mental health, and the benefits of the peer approach, and was invited to address psychiatric fellows at Columbia University, New York State congressional

leadership, and other distinguished groups. Sean published his first book in 2025, The Compassionate Path: Navigating Peer Health Advocacy and Nonprofit Development.

Sean is survived by his mother, Vicki Weller Brennan of Sandersville, GA, godfather Johnny Mongiove of Lecanto, FL, sister-in-law Nancy Brennan and nephew Mark Joseph Brennan IV, both of Lancaster, SC, Aunt Sylvia Weller of West Monroe, LA, and a host of cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, half-brother Mark Joseph Brennan III, grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Mark Joseph Brennan Sr., and Frank, Jr. and Mary Weller, and Uncle Frank Kurt Weller, III.

Sean’s exuberance for life, bear hugs, and stimulating conversation charmed all who knew him, and his triumph over adversity awed them. Ever the gracious host, he leaves those who dined at his table with full hearts and the warmth of his smile.

Redden Funeral Home in New York, NY, was in charge of arrangements.

This is a courtesy announcement from May and Smith Funeral Directors.