George D. Brenning, 79

George Dorsey Brenning, who was among the founders of the East End Gay Organization in the 1970s, died of complications from surgery on Nov. 6 at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He was 79.

Mr. Brenning first came to East Hampton in 1972, moving into a house on Gerard Drive in Springs in about 1973. Here he became interested in town affairs, a friend, David Wilt, said, and embraced gay rights and became an activist.

He became involved with several community organizations before helping to launch EEGO, which eventually grew to more than 1,000 members.

In 1979, he and Joseph (Jay) Brennan moved to Atlanta, where Mr. Brennan attended nursing school. While in Atlanta, Mr. Brenning was elected to the board of directors of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and spent time working with the Georgia American Civil Liberties Union.

Next, the couple moved to the Washington, D.C., area, where Mr. Brenning worked at the Department of Labor and the Washington Hospital Center during the late 1980s.

In 2010 Mr. Brenning and Mr. Brennan were married in Massachusetts. The following year, they had a New York wedding at Chuck Hitchcock and Mr. Wilt’s house in Springs. East Hampton Town Justice Catherine Cahill officiated; Marilyn Lamkay of East Hampton attended as witness.

Mr. Wilt recalled that Mr. Brenning was known as the “Perle Mesta of Cheverly, Md.,” where he and Mr. Brennan lived, in reference to the legendary hostess. “He and Jay brought together individuals from many facets of the Washington community to mingle and enjoy the wonderful meals that George so much enjoyed preparing,” Mr. Wilt said. Mr. Brennan survives.

Mr. Brenning was born on Dec. 11, 1935, in Scarsdale, N.Y., where he grew up. He graduated from the Hill School in Pottstown, Pa., in 1953 and from Colgate University in 1957, where he had been a history major. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he moved to New York City, where he studied at Columbia University and the New School and worked in advertising and in a publishing venture.

His funeral was held on Nov. 13 in Bowie, Md.

Memorial contributions have been suggested to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, 91 Daniel’s Hole Road, Wainscott 11975.