Robert M. Brady

On July 4th, Bob Brady celebrated his 75th birthday. A feast was prepared; lobster and champagne, per his request. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren surrounded him. The atmosphere was festive, the stories were many, and time stood still. Bob declared to his family at this celebration that although riding his motorcycle was as necessary to him as the air that he breathed, he'd be taking one last ride simply to be able to say he'd ridden until he was 75 years old.

Riding was everything to Bob for many years, the staple of his social life from early adulthood; he has been on many a bike run from here to Red Rock. It has been a source of therapy through the loss of his granddaughter, Jessica, and his dear friend, Jimmy Mac, in 2015. He often said nothing made him feel better than the wind in his face and the music blasting from the speakers. Then, getting back on his Harley was a badge of honor when cancer almost kicked his ass last year.

Bob hopped on his Harley on July 7th to take that last ride. In a twist of fate, he rode off into eternal paradise.

Family bonds were everything to Bob! Third of ten children born to Tom and Francis. They were the real Brady bunch! Being a part of a large crazy family defined who he was! Holidays on Oakview Terrace were legendary. There was never a time when he wasn't close to his siblings; Tom, Maureen, Colleen, Kevin, Kathleen, Richard, Dennis, Eileen and Franceen and his sister-in-law Katherine, are interwoven throughout his entire life.

Bobby and Bernadette ran off and got married in June of 1966; in an appliance store, in New Hampshire. Let that sink in. We can't say that they "settled down" because neither of them ever truly did. Like all couples, they had their ups and downs, but boy did they love each other! When Bob became a father at a young age his daughters, Robin and Melissa, were along for the ride both literally and figuratively, that was the 1970's! He shared with them his love of travel and adventure through a multitude of trips, including but not limited to: Washington D.C. on a day trip, Acapulco during the blizzard of 1978, and countless trips to Disneyland that jump-started a family tradition that continues to this day.

Bob LOVED music, of all kinds! His album collection was legend and he frequently mused, "I shoulda' been a Rock Star!" while jamming on an air guitar. This love of music was passed on to his girls through family days spent at music festivals and trips to The Music Smith in Brookline where everyone left with a new album each visit.

Bob was from Boston, his accent gave that away no matter where he traveled! Although he enjoyed 24 years of suburban life in Norwood, he was 100% a city kid! Born in East Boston, but raised in the Bromley Heath Projects, his Jamaica Plain roots were a point of pride. It was there, in JP, where he forged so many of his lifelong friendships. Even with nine siblings, Bob had plenty of room for friends. His friends were family! At 75 years old, he still had more than a handful of BFF's. Sonny, Bobby O, George "Flava-Flav", Benny Walsh, and Augie, he loved you like brothers!

Bobby left school early to enter the work force. He'd be the first to tell you, "Hey, don't ask me, I've got an 8th grade education!" Despite this he could still accurately answer at least one big money question every evening while watching Jeopardy! It was at the ripe old age of 21 that he began his illustrious career in Fleet Services at American Airlines, at a job he described as "good pay, great bennies, and guaranteed a laugh a minute." He stayed there until he retired 42 years later when he said the laughs had ended! This job afforded him and his family the opportunity of air travel, one of the aforementioned "great bennies", and he took full advantage. His vagabond soul had him at Logan to board a flight almost as often as to go to work! He enjoyed tropical vacations and seeing the world, but his favorite trips were either visiting friends all over the country or heading south with at least one of his sisters, "right after the last leaf fell". No matter where he was, he always had a camera in tow to capture sites and sunsets that he would share upon his return.

Honestly, like a fine wine, Bobby Brady did get better with age! Being a grandfather, otherwise known as Gpa, provided him his greatest accomplishment. He adored the kids. Being an active part of their lives filled his life. The best chapter of his life began when James was born. He had the boy he always wanted and did all the boy stuff with him that he never got to do while his girls were growing up. Then Victoria, Jessica, Erin, Belle, and Franki came in quick succession, and those granddaughters plus his de facto girl Michelle, made him beam with pride like never before. The final chapter in the story of his grandkids was Joey, another little guy for Bob to hang out with. The boys were book ends! Being more "mature" when Joey came along was a benefit for both of them. Bob was retired, and anyone around knew about "Joey time"; this meant 3:00pm pick-up at Cleveland Elementary to grab his buddy. Those kids have all told better Bob Brady stories than anyone! A new story began when James started a family of his own and his children, Lana and Kaine, made Bob a great-grandfather, providing a new source of love and joy over the past few years. As the story goes on and more chapters are added his legacy will continue.

We know that his mom and Bernadette were the first of many to greet him at the pearly gates. No doubt that Jessica got some much needed Gpa-time shortly thereafter and that she will show him the ropes up there. Finally, we are sure that he has been catching up with his great friends Al Coco and Jimmy Mac. We hope that lobster and champagne are on the menu and that he can catch a beautiful sunset every night.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert's memory may be made to the Jessica Mary McGillicuddy Fund c/o Dedham Savings Bank, 55 Elm St., Dedham MA 02026.