November 5, 1932- April 20, 2021
John E. Brady (Jack Brady) passed away on April 20, 2021 at the age of 88 after a tough battle with lung disease and Covid. He fought hard until the end, just as he always had in life as a fighter…a boxer.
Strong willed with a determined spirit, John loved his family and friends, his country, and God. He showed unwavering love and his will to live, right until his passing moments.
Born in Staten Island, New York on November 5, 1932, John was survived by his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Margaret I. Brady (nee Kadian), his two children, Dawn Basso (husband Patrick), and Robert Brady (wife Jennifer). As a loving grandfather, John was blessed with his grandchildren, Rich Lawson (wife Kamilla), Jenna Giaramita (husband Michael), Lauren Lynne Brady, and two step-grandchildren, Michael Basso (wife Jessica) and Steven Basso (wife Breann).
“Big Grandpa,” Jack Brady, was an amazing great-grandpa as well, leaving behind Lana, age 5 and Benjamin, age 4, his step-grandchild, Aleyla, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, sister-in-law, Arline, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-cousins.
A veteran of the Korean War, John Brady served in the Army and was a longstanding member of The American Legion. He also helped in the conservation of Fort Miles preserving the military equipment and maintaining the Observatory Towers on the beaches of Delaware where he resided for many years.
After a long career of wearing many hats as a gas station attendant, auto mechanic, masonry work apprentice, and truck driver, Jack earned his Associates and Stationary Engineering degrees and worked for Con Edison in Staten Island, NY for 33 years as a member of the IBEW Union. Additionally, he was an active member in the Catholic Churches where he lived and served as a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.
Jack loved his dogs with all of his heart and anything outdoors, enjoying landscaping, lighthouses, feeding the birds, beach combing with his Geiger Counter, quad and UTV riding, and watching his grandkids, and then eventually great-grandkids, go “too high” on their swings. Besides his coo-coo clocks, Jack loved taking long walks in the cemeteries, where he will now rest in peace.
John E. Brady’s legacy is one of selflessness, loyalty, and love as he has enriched the lives of everyone who was blessed to be a part of his “dash” …his 88-year journey.
THE DASH
the poem by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.
To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?
© 1996-2020 Southwestern Inspire Kindness, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
We invite you to share the poem as long as you include our copyright disclosure: By Linda Ellis, Copyright © Inspire Kindness, 1996, thedashpoem.com.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 28, from 4:00-6:00 pm at Goble Funeral Home 22 Main Street Sparta, NJ 07871. Interment will be held on Thursday, 10:00 AM at North Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sparta, NJ.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations in John Brady’s honor can be made to:
Catholic Charities
https://secure2.convio.net/ccusa/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app20122a?df_id=2301&mfc_pref=T&2301.donation=form1#toggle
Tunnel to Towers
https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/#!/donation/checkout
With deepest appreciation,
The Family of John E. Brady
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