Carl was my shop teacher at Lefferts Junior High School.  Our paths crossed again when he was my Bd. Of Ed. Supervisor when I taught shop at J.H.S. 
22 during the early 70's. A kind and brillant man. Rest in peace.

In Memory of Carl Brenner
Carl Brenner was more than a father-in-law to me—he became a father figure at a time in my life when I deeply needed one.
I met his daughter, Denise, when we were both very young—she was 19 and I was 23. We met at a friend’s home, and from that beginning we built a life together, eventually marrying and having two sons, Corey and David. During those years, I came to know Carl not just as family, but as someone I truly looked up to.
Having lost my own father at the age of four and a half, I grew especially close to Carl. In many ways, he filled a space in my life that had long been empty. He was a man of strength and character—stubborn at times, but also intelligent, creative, and deeply memorable. He was someone a son could look up to.
After Denise and I went our separate ways, it was difficult for many reasons. Along with the end of our marriage, I felt the loss of that connection with Carl as well—a loss that stayed with me.
Two days ago, Carl Brenner passed away. I was grateful to be there to say goodbye.
He will never be forgotten. Carl will always hold a place in my heart, remembered not only as family, but as a man who helped shape my life in a lasting way.

We will be forever grateful for Carl's friendship and will remember him as a kind, generous, intelligent and talented mench. His range of interests  and his mastery of them was truly impressive. Little did we know that introducing ourselves to  Carl and Audrey at temple would lead to such an important and lasting friendship of nearly thirty years. We shared many happy times with Carl and Audrey in Florham Park and in the country. We will miss him forever.

Carl Brenner played a major role in my life, as he played in the lives of the well over 1000 Jewish youths who served with the American Jewish Society for Service.  In 1968, Carl and Audrey were called upon on very short notice to serve as leaders for an AJSS project on a Northern Cheyenne reservation in Busby, Montana.  They uprooted their four young children and proceeded to attend to the safety and wellbeing of 16 Jewish youths serving this impoverished Native American community.   A rising junior from Great Neck, I turned 16 during the first week of that Summer project, and I then went on to have the Summer of my life, as I learned about the importance of service and Tikkun Olam (repair of the World), and I learned about myself.  Carl and Audrey continued to lead AJSS Summer projects over the next two decades, and Carl then assumed the AJSS Executive Director position, organizing and overseeing scores of Summer projects over the better part of the next two decades.  I witnessed Carl's superb work over the years, first as an AJSS volunteer and then as a Board member and later as AJSS President.  The AJSS experience was a transformational experience for me, as it was for well over 1000 youths who served under Carl's leadership, teaching us the importance of service and making Tikkun Olam an essential part of our Judaism.  And at age 73 in retirement, service remains a very important part of my life, and my practice of Judaism is very much focused upon Tikkun Olam.
Carl affirmatively touched the lives of the thousand plus youths who were transformed by their AJSS experiences, but also the lives of the multitudes of persons in impoverished communities throughout America who were assisted by AJSS'ers, and the lives of the countless persons whom AJSS alumni have helped over the decades.  Yasher Ko'ach, Carl, for a job well done.  You continue to live on through all of these lives.
My deepest condolences to Audrey and to the entire Brenner Family.

Well,, Carl lived a life most men only hope for.  Raised successful kids who in turn raised their kids successfully.   He was a man of honor,  loyalty , and of course love ,  a life well lived ❤️

I’m so sorry to hear of Carl’s passing. Some of my earliest and fondest childhood memories are of the time I spent at the Brenner’s home in Canarsie where I’d see Carl fixing his clocks as Denise and I ran around and played. Riding in the bumper seat of an old fashioned car that I think Carl put together himself is an indelible memory of this time too. He was a wonderful man and I know his family and friends will dearly miss him. My love, thoughts, and prayers are with all of you.

Pre-Corey’s wedding night spending special time w/Carl & Audrey.❤️

Always fond memories w/Carl & family over the years.  1983 their Brooklyn home.❤️

OBITUARY

Carl Brenner

August 24, 1936 – May 3, 2026

Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

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