Francis P. Brady

Born on November 10, 1937. Son of Elizabeth A. Dulligan and Edward P. Brady, he was the surviving brother of Moira Hanley (Thomas), Edward Brady (Nora), Paul Brady (Jeanne), Lawrence Brady (Bonnie), and Robert Brady (Rose Marie). Fran leaves his best friend and wife of 61 years, Sally (nee Hitchcock); his children, Betsy of Marblehead, MA; Brett (Lynn) of Clarence, and Jeffrey (late Candice) of Buffalo; and his dear granddaughters Ryan and Mackenzie Brady.

Fran was a graduate of Canisius High School class of 1955, where he was a stand-out varsity basketball player. He left for boot camp at Fort Sill, OK and was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Army. Returning home, he completed his BS at Canisius College, Class of 1962, balancing the rigorous Jesuit education while working the night shift as a brakeman on the Erie Lackawanna railroad.

Fran’s career was in the food industry, beginning as the WNY area manager for Kraft Foods and then Sales Director for International Salt / Pfeiffer Foods (Wilson, NY) foodservice where he took the Caesar salad dressing line national. He built and sold F.P. Brady Inc. foodservice brokerage. He was the National Sales Director for Rocco Processing in VA and then Executive VP of Sales and COO of Melitta Coffee’s foodservice division (NJ). He rounded out his career as a consultant for McCullagh Coffee and with Mother Parkers Coffee (Ontario), where he helped to develop the US market.

After his retirement from business, Fran was a substitute teacher for 15 years with the Buffalo public high schools, primarily at City Honors, Hutch Tech and McKinley. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with the next generation, and was always happy to get a shout out from a former student and to learn where they had ended up.

For 50 years Fran & Sally summered in Holloway Bay, Ontario with the famed Kennels Community and their renowned social calendar. He enjoyed his term as Mayor, paired with Sally for the July water balloon toss and was a purple jacket winner of the annual golf tournament. Highlighted by two holes-in-one, Fran enjoyed the company of friends and fellow duffers on both sides of the bridge including those at Delaware Park, Thunder Bay, Sunset Ridge and Emerald Pines. And at the age of 81 he had the distinction of having his picture in the Buffalo News snow blowing his driveway after a blizzard.

Born on Baynes Street on the West Side and residing in North Buffalo the last 25 years, Fran and Sally raised their family in Clarence, NY. He was a cub scout leader, little league coach, and taught CCD at Our Lady of Peace. He played in the Men’s softball league and several Sunday bowling leagues with Sally, he held his own at horseshoes, bridge and poker. Fran was a constant on the sideline or in the bleachers of any of his kids or granddaughter’s games, track meets, regattas, art shows and concerts from kindergarten through college.

An avid history buff, Fran travelled to the Caribbean, Ireland, Germany, Rome, 48 of the 50 states and fulfilled a longtime dream of visiting Gettysburg National Park with his family.

Fran was a proud Irish Catholic Buffalonian and long-suffering Queen City sports fan. An early season ticket holder for both the Buffalo Braves and the Buffalo Sabres, he was cautiously hopeful of our resurging Bills. We will likely find a few faded ticket stubs in the drawer for The Rockpile, Fort Erie and Buffalo Raceways.

Family and friends may call on Thursday June 15th from 4-7pm at DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME 3070 Delaware Ave. Kenmore, NY 14217. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday June 16th at 10am at St. Mark Church 401 Woodward Ave. Buffalo, NY 14214. Please assemble at church. Flowers gratefully declined. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/kenmore-ny/francis-brady-11328571