It is with deep sadness that the family of Robert John Brady, Sr. announces his passing, at age 87, in his Milford home on the evening of April 19, 2022 in the arms of his children. Of Irish and German heritage, Bob was born on July 13, 1934, in Bridgeport, CT, the son of the late Clarence R. "James" and Edna H. (Eltner) Brady.
The widow of the late Lorraine M. DuBord, Bob will ever be remembered for his devoted care and support of his large, loving and grateful family. He is survived by his first wife, Joan Lally, the love of his life, mother of his children and best friend; his four children Marlene J. (Joel) Vodola, Dawn E. (Jose) McCready, Robin L. (Blaine) Boxwell, Jr., and Robert J. (Lisa) Brady, Jr., nine grandchildren, Joel (Laura) Vodola, Blaine (Rachel) Boxwell III, Jason McCready, Alexander Vodola, Justin (Jessica) Boxwell, Shannon Vodola, Sean (Kirsten) Brady, Jordan Brady and Dakota Brady, eight great-grandchildren Brianna Boxwell, Elysianna Vodola, Emma Brady, Elonna Brady, Joel Vodola, III, Sienna Boxwell, Sadie Boxwell and Liora Brady, his sister Marilyn Brady and several nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his sister, Mildred J. Brady, his eldest son Richard J. Brady and his grandson Robert P. (Serena) Boxwell.
Bob grew up on a farm in Monroe and graduated from Bullard Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport. A patriot to his core, he joined the Army in 1954 and served in the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne. On his qualifying jump, he broke his ankle and received his wings while still in his hospital bed but on that day walking was overrated... he had just learned to fly. During his enlistment Bob achieved the rank of Specialist 2nd Class and earned the National Defense Service medal, the qualifications of Marksman and Sharpshooter and a presidential unit citation. He took courses on seamanship and coastal navigation with the U.S. Power Squadron in Stratford and several online courses on astronomy and photography. His occupations were many including delivering milk, eggs and chicken to local homesteads from the farm in his youth, as a machine oiler at H.O. Canfield, a sheet metal fabricator with Avco Lycoming, a production engineer with Mobil Chemical and later as a school bus driver with Hudson Bus Lines until his retirement.
Bob was a dedicated family man and regularly took his four children on camping trips to Maine, cabins in Vermont, aquariums, movies, amusement parks and C.B. radio jamborees. He taught them to build and launch model rockets at Eisenhower Park, swimming, gardening, bicycling, ice skating, fishing, photography, cooking and turned ordinary boardgames into competitions of great fun and laughter. He was Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, our best friend and our hero. Bob believed in hard work, family values, a good education and faith in God. He welcomed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with open arms and encouraged their dreams.
An avid boater, Bob loved the sea and weekend excursions with his family in his cabin cruiser "The Robbie J". He enjoyed reading, ice fishing, hunting, camping, country music, tech gadgets, computers, family picnics, fireworks, cooking, New England Patriots football, Red Sox baseball, movies, woodworking, country living and being chased down mountains by bears. A lifelong devotee of music, Bob sang tenor with a barbershop quartet and played the guitar from an early age. He had a friendly, outgoing personality and made lasting friendships everywhere he went. His droll catchphrase "unreal" is often repeated by his children and grandchildren. Bob loved and believed in his country and his favorite holiday was 4th of July. Formerly a member of American Legion Post 158 and the Maine Mountain Men club, at the time of his death he was a proud member of American Legion Post 196, the Milford Senior Center and the NRA.
Bob led by example, he offered sound advice, the shirt off his back and always put his family first. He honored the memory of his beloved mother by tending her grave and kept her portrait by his bedside until his death. His sense of humor was as boundless as his supply of "dad jokes" and he often made us smile as he left the room. His presence in our lives will be deeply missed but the light he lit in our hearts will never be extinguished.
A memorial service with full military honors at the Central Maine Veteran's Cemetery will be held in private at the convenience of his family. Donations in his memory to wounded American veterans via Tunnels To Towers Foundation or Wounded Warriors Project, would be greatly appreciated.
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