Daniel J. Brady Jr.

Captain Daniel Joseph Brady Jr. took his final flight heading straight to the gates of heaven on May 9, 2019. He passed peacefully in his sleep, in the comfort of his home in Wantage, NJ at the age of 68.

Dan was born in the Bronx, New York on June 26, 1950 to the Late Daniel J. Brady Sr. and Joan (Brady) Schwedfeger. He was a graduate of Pearl River High school in 1968, and later graduated college from the Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied Business.

After college, Dan was commissioned in the Air Force and entered pilot training. Dan was based in Dayton Ohio at the Wright-Patterson Air Force base where he flew KC135’s. He served our country proudly earning many honors and learning the necessary skills to prepare him for his lifetime career as an airline pilot.

As any pilot would, Dan proudly shared his flight stories with all who would listen. He was passionate about flying and had fond memories with his crews from New York Air, Continental Airlines, and United. Over his career he was a Captain and flew the MD80, B757 and B767.

His greatest identity however, was being a father and pop-pop. He lovingly referred to his children not by name, but as Units 1 through 6. He instilled in them the value of family loyalty, and was always a phone call away.

Each Fourth of July, he rented a house in the Outer Banks hosting all of his children and grandchildren, to which he declared his favorite week of the year. He loved a captive audience whether to sing his favorite Irish tune, “I Had A Hat” or to tell his newest joke, most of which were not appropriate for print.

He spent months at a time hand crafting items in his woodshop for his kids and grandkids including cradles, hope-chests and grandfather clocks. He enjoyed spending days at the West Nyack Swim Club, teaching his kids how to Ski on Lake Mohawk, and going to Yankees games. He also delighted in sharing his love of trains at Christmas time, a tradition that has been passed onto his grandchildren. Dan’s proudest moment as a father, was having the opportunity to see his children rally together in times of need, which he considered to be the greatest legacy he could ever leave.

He was greeted at the gates by his brother John Brady, father Daniel Brady Sr. and step-father, Ray Scheedfeger or “B.”

He is survived by his 6 children Taryn (Matthew) Delaney of New City, NY, Matthew (Jennifer) Brady of Hunnington, New York, Brittany Brady of Denver, CO, Sean Brady of Sparta, New Jersey, Stacy (Brendan) Lynott of Kernersville, North Carolina, and Shannon (Nick) Boon of Stanhope, New Jersey, his Mother Joan Schwedfer of Beaverton Oregon, his brother Patrick (Peggy) Brady of Springfield Massachusetts, his sister Kate (John) England of Beaverton, Oregon, the mothers of his children Stephanie (Ebner) Brady of Congers, New York, and Barb (Klippstein) Brady of Hackettstown, New Jersey, his grandchildren Molly, Charlotte, and Kieran Delaney, Ally Jo and Nate Brady, Madi, Emmie, and Livi Lynott, and Brady Trainer. He also leaves behind his long time companion Debby Grinwis of Wantage, New Jersey as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life on Tuesday May 14, 2019 from 2-4 pm and 7-9pm at Higgins Funeral home in New City, New York. A Mass of Christian burial will be on May 15, 2019 at 10:00am at St. Augustine’s in New City.