Gary Louis Brender passed away peacefully in his sleep (after battling a longtime series of illnesses), at age 68, on Monday March 30th, 2020 at Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Gary was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 20, 1952 to Bernard William Brender and Ruth (Cooper) Brender. One of three siblings, he was part of a Navy family and lived in many states before graduating in 1970 from Colonial High School in Orlando, Florida. He graduated with a degree in Political Science from Miami University (Ohio) in 1974.

While at Miami University, Gary earned a Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He moved to Pensacola for flight training and earned his aviator wings. Gary commanded anti-submarine warfare aircraft for ten years during the peak of the Cold War, before leaving the Navy and returning to Central Florida to raise a family while working as a sales executive for Lion Ribbon Company. He remained in the US Naval Reserves and continued to serve his country and then retired as a Commander after more than twenty years of service.

The Brender family has deep roots in the Central Florida area. Gary's father, Captain Bernard William Brender, who was a Pearl Harbor survivor and died in 1988, was the first Commanding Officer of the Orlando Naval Recruit Training Center. Captain Brender was also the first president of the Maitland Arts Center. Gary followed in his father's footsteps as a public servant.

Gary was a long time civic leader and devoted to serving his community. He spent 31 years in public service as a City Commissioner in the City of Lake Mary, including a stint as Deputy Mayor. He loved a good ribbon cutting ceremony, speaking to local high school classes about civic engagement, and was a member of multiple community boards over the years. In addition to his three children, he told friends and family that his service to his country and community were some of the highlights of his life.

Gary loved the ocean, sailing and traveling. With his life-long friends, Frank and Marsha Kraft and Dave and Diana Grunderman, he shared a sailboat docked in New Smyrna Beach, called Mutual Fun. He also loved the Colorado Rocky Mountains, where he would go skiing and hiking when he was able. Gary and his older brother, Mark Brender, had a particular affinity for spending time in Telluride, Colorado, ever since their first land purchase together there in 1977, which was followed by purchasing several properties together over the years.

Gary is survived by his three children; Sharon Procopio and grandson Remy of Boulder, Erin Brender of Montana and Evan Brender (wife Juliet and granddog Sadie) of Boston. His older brother Mark (wife Sharon) lives in the Washington DC area and his younger brother, Keith Brender (wife Jeanette), lives in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

His favorite condiment was ketchup (which he put on almost everything - including eggs), so when you find yourself squeezing a bottle of Heinz, you can think of him fondly, as we will.

Gary's wishes were for his ashes to be equally spread between the calm waters near his sailboat in New Smyrna Beach and the See Forever ski run in Telluride. A memorial service will be planned for a later time when we are all able to gather. To honor Gary's memory, please share your memories of him on the Tribute Wall and consider donating to the Myotonic Dystrophy or Myleofibrosis foundations to support their research at the links below:

https://www.myotonic.org/donate-towards-myotonic-dystrophy-care-and-cure

https://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/Donate-to-MPN-Research