WEST CARTHAGE, NY — Joseph Henry Brady, 92, of 23 N. Main St., West Carthage, died Sunday morning, Sept. 23, 2018, at University Hospital in Syracuse.
We mourn the passing of the pillar of our family. Everyone that knew him was amazed at his sharp mind, kind heart, mobility and dedication to his family and church. None could believe that he was 92 years old.
He was born the oldest son of J. Clarence and Mabel L. Brady on Feb. 21, 1926, in Watertown, NY.
He was a life-long resident of Carthage and attended Augustinian Academy until he was drafted into the US Army in June of 1944 at the age of 18. He was proud to be a World War II Veteran and one of his most memorable experiences at the age of 89, was to be part of the Honor Flight from Syracuse in April of 2015 where he and his daughter, Linda, toured our nation’s monuments. He went to Camp Blanding, Florida for basic training and was sent overseas on the Queen Elizabeth at the end of 1944 to join the 8th Division Company 121st Regiment in Belguim. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was honorably discharged in June of 1946 with the rank of Corporal.
Upon his return to Carthage he worked as an electrical apprentice for Don Holmes. He was hired by the US Post Office in April of 1951 where he worked until his retirement in March of 1981. He continued to do electrical work as a second job until his late 70’s.
He married Joyce P. Brady at St. James Catholic Church in Carthage on May 5, 1951. They had 3 children: Linda (Mark) Keddy of Carthage, Tom of Carthage and Jeff (Karen) Brady of Denver, Colorado. They had 6 grandchildren: Ryan and Megan (Jarosz) Keddy, Ryan, Jeffery, Allison and Carly Brady and 2 great-grandchildren who were the apples of his eye. Until just recently he could be found playing hide-n-seek and other games with Addisyn and Ella and always had little pink candies in his pocket for them. In addition to his wife of 67 years, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he is also survived by his brother, Patrick Brady, of Carthage and nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and sister, Rita Beaton, of Utica.
His exceptional good health and strong mind were attributed to him walking over 15 miles a day as a letter carrier for over 30 years and wintering in Florida for over 30 years as well and his devotion to his church and the Lord.
He was a life-long communicant of St. James Catholic Church in Carthage where served as an altar server for daily Masses and funerals until his recent illness. He served on the altar for the weddings of his 2 married grandchildren. He was a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, a 72 year member of the Carthage American Legion and also VFW and a 50 year member of the Carthage Elks.
He enjoyed all sports, but was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants, Notre Dame and Syracuse University. He could be counted on to know the statistics of these teams and at one time had his own parking space mapped out at the Carthage Athletic Field when it hosted Men’s and Women’s Softball Leagues.
A Funeral Mass will be said noon Wednesday, Sept. 26, at St. James Catholic Church in Carthage with the Rev. Donald A. Robinson, pastor, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Burial in Hillside Cemetery, West Carthage, will be at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Donations in his memory may be made to The St. James Capital Campaign at 327 West St. Carthage or the American Cancer Society.
To say he had a life well lived would be an understatement and he will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.
To leave an online condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com.
