Francis Brady

Francis Joseph "Joe" Brady, World War II veteran, passed peacefully in his home on Sept 3th at the age of 93.

He leaves eleven children; Mark and his wife Rosemarie of Dix Hills, N.Y., Kathleen and her husband David Dearnley of Sutton, Marcia and her husband John Huchowski of Williamsburg, VA, Patricia and her husband Robert Cardin of Sutton, Suzanne Brady of Millbury, Jane Brady Pojani of Millbury, Matthew and his wife Kathleen of Auburn, John and his wife Loretta McAward of Southboro, Ann and her husband Todd Cestari of Hopkinton, Bonnie and her husband Robert Lucia of Sutton, and Beth Brady of Hopkinton. A son, Timothy passed in 1954 at the age of two months.
Joe's wife of 57 years, Mary (May) Catherine Gibson Brady passed in 2007. Seven siblings predeceased him: Agnes Milne, Mabel Sulham, Marion Blanchard, Margaret Leclaire and John, Charles and Richard Brady. Joe lived to see 21 grandchildren grow into fine young men and women and to see 14 great grandchildren come into the world. They all reminded him of his beautiful wife May.
Joe was born in Lowell, the son of Joseph and Margaret Kearney Brady. The family moved to Worcester in 1928 and to Millbury in 1929 where he lived for the remainder of his life.

He graduated from Millbury Memorial High School in 1940 where he played both baseball and basketball. Joe was on the varsity team in his freshman year but as a senior, went to work both before and after school to help support the family.
Joe proudly served in the army during World War II, as did his three brothers. He joined the 594 Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment with whom he spent three years of his life. His military service included Fort Devens and Camp Edwards, Fort Monmouth, N.J.; Camp Gordon Johnson, Fl. And Camp Beach, Ca. His regiment traveled by boat to New Guinea where they landed at Milne Bay, Buna, Finchaven, Hollandia and then to American Isle off the coast of New Guinea with some 1000 Australian Infantry troops. From there they traveled by boat to New Britain, the Philippines, Manila and finally to Tokyo for the occupation of Japan. He returned home when Japan surrendered. Joe was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.
After the war ended, he returned to Millbury, married his childhood sweetheart, May Gibson, and raised twelve children. His life revolved around caring for his family.

Joe was a sales representative for the food division of American Home Products for 38 years. He was employed by the Town of Millbury in both elected and appointed positions including Assessor and Sealer of Weights and Measures. For most of his life, he held three jobs in order to support his large family.
Joe was also a charter member of the Millbury High School Hall of Fame Committee and a Little League baseball coach. He was a lifelong member of St. Brigid's Church in Millbury.

Joe Brady was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his family. He was particularly proud of the fact that his children took it upon themselves to pursue educations at Assumption, Clark, Harvard, Nichols, Northeastern, Old Dominion, Quinsigamond, Universities of Hawaii and UMass. Joe wanted to note this in hopes it would inspire other parents with limited means to consider a college education for their children.

A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Sept. 7th at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 10 Waters St. in Millbury. There are no calling hours. It was Joe's wish that flowers be omitted.

Donations may be made to the Millbury High School Hall of Fame or the Francis J. and Mary C. Brady Scholarship Fund, in care of the Millbury Credit Union, 50 Main St., Millbury, MA 01527. This scholarship has been awarded annually to a Millbury High School student since May's death in 2007.