'Doc' Brantley, former Neptune mayor and longtime Asbury Park dentist, passes away

NEPTUNE - Dr. Michael Brantley, a veteran, retired dentist, former mayor and an active community leader for decades, died at the age of 79 on Jan. 6.

Mayor Tassie York, who recently served with him on the Township Committee, told the Asbury Park Press "we're going to miss him deeply."

"Dr. Brantley was the longest-serving member we had on the Township Committee and he was a person of distinct honor. He was very proud of who he was, and the service that he did for our country. He was a man of integrity, if he said something you could take it to the bank," York said.

Brantley owned and operated his family dental practice in Asbury Park for over 35 years, all while maintaining an active role within Neptune Township.

He was first elected to the Township Committee in 2006 and most recently won reelection in 2021, serving as mayor and deputy mayor at various times during his tenure.

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Committeeman Nicholas Williams said "Doc" was "a proud man and a man of many achievements through his life."

"He spoke often about his years as an U.S. Army captain and having a very successful dentist practice in Asbury Park. Dr. Brantley and I became running mates in 2015 and continued our journey together, being victorious in all of them, including our last election in 2021," Williams said. "Campaigning with Doc could never be easier or more fun. Knocking on doors together, he was known by every household as 'Doc is my dentist' and 'You have my support.'"

He added that Brantley was a "polished negotiator" who never shot from the hip but would carefully say "let me get back to you on that one."

"When he had his answer, he would call you back and give you his opinion. Together, we would always come to a coordinated agreement," Williams continued. "Dr. Brantley was the leader of our committee and even though many people have sat on the same dais throughout the years, we all shared the same respect (for him) that he rightfully deserved."

York said "we missed him when we had to remove him" referencing when the Township Committee vacated the seat held by Brantley in late November.

Brantley had been absent from Township Committee meetings since June without providing the committee with an excuse or reason for the lack of attendance, according to the resolution passed at the Nov. 27 meeting. Brantley's family remained private about what medical reason kept the committeeman away from the dais.

"That was something that we didn't want to do," York said. "It really pained us and the public didn't know what was going on, so they were judging us, but we had to do what we had to do.

"It was like losing a sibling for me," she continued. "He was such a great person, in more ways than one. I am grateful for that."

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Deputy Mayor Robert Lane credited Brantley for helping him decide to run in 2016. Lane said Brantley was the first one to support him.

"The one thing he wanted was a community center and that is what he was working on prior to getting sick," Lane said.

Brantley was the lead on the community center idea, which was only in the early conceptual stages. "Looking for the right location, he was taking charge of that. At one point there was a building design that he was involved in," Lane said.

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He added that Brantley "never let you know how he was feeling.

"(Brantley) just kept doing what he wanted to do, which was serve the people. So again, toward the end we didn't even know how sick he was. He was there on a regular basis until he wasn't able to, which was tough," Lane said.

Brantley was celebrated by the committee in the form of a proclamation before the Jan. 8 committee meeting.

Brantley was born on Dec. 15, 1944, in Monticello, Florida. He earned a bachelor's degree in science in biology from Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) in Baltimore in 1967. Brantley then served as a captain and a chief laboratory officer in the Army the following year.

After the military, Brantley attended and graduated from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee, where he earned his doctor of dental surgery degree. He continued his education with a dental Internship at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School and Martland Hospital (now University Hospital) in Newark.

He continued to hone his expertise through various advanced educational trainings in dental specialties through the years. He also served as the director of the dental clinic at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and held prominent positions at various medical facilities, according to his obituary.

Brantley was an active member of the Monmouth County Men’s Club and a member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He was recognized with numerous awards, including the Man of the Year award from The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the Brookdale Community College Foundation’s Health Care Service Award.

Brantley was inducted into the Neptune High School Hall of Fame in 2001 and on Feb. 24, 2001, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders’ proclaimed it as “Michael Brantley D.D.S Day.” He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Jacqueline Keel-Brantley.

A viewing will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the James Hunt Funeral Home in Asbury Park. Services will be private, followed by interment at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in North Hanover.

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Michael Brantley, former Neptune mayor and Asbury Park dentist, dies