John "Sean" J. Brady

John Brady, Sean to friends and family, was born in Cavan, Ireland. He grew up with 6 brothers and sisters on a farm. This would teach them humility and adaptability, traits that would benefit each of them throughout their lives. Sean arrived in the USA on September 1, 1956. He recalls it being a cold and rainy day when he saw Lady Liberty in NY Harbor. He joined the US Air Force and served his country during the early years of the Vietnam War. After he was honorably discharged, Sean stayed in California with his Uncle Tommy and worked at the Navy Shipyard in Long Beach. Soon, he migrated back to New York and began a career at Pfizer and Sperry Rand, where he worked on components for the Apollo Mission. He met Bridget Connolly at a dance in Woodside, Queens and they married in May 1965. A year later they brought a son, Thomas, into the world. Tragedy struck when Bridget passed away in 1971. But, with the help of his sisters, he was able to raise his son with family and instill the same values that they had all grown up with. In 1982, Sean met Hanna Hartigan. They dated and in August 1984 married. Hanna had 4 children from her first marriage, 3 boys, Michael, Neil and Patrick and a girl Marion. Sean later moved to New Hyde Park in 1990 where he was involved in numerous charitable projects and political campaigns.

Sean never tired of traveling. He went home to Ireland often as well as across virtually all 50 states and Canada. After Pfizer, Sean bought a business. After turning it around and making it a profitable venture, he sold it and moved to a new chapter. He was a computer consultant and when he tired of that, he focused much of his energies on philanthropic endeavors. He worked with his parish, Notre Dame, and local food banks making sure that seniors and others didn’t go hungry. He also helped those who didn’t have access to transportation get to doctor appointments. During all of this time, Sean never lost sight of what mattered, family. He was blessed to have many nieces and nephews, many of whom lived nearby and were able to help him later in life. He never lost his adventurous spirit even going skydiving at the tender age of 81 with a grand-nephew. Heart issues or broken bones never slowed him down. When he was at home, he took pride in his garden and lawn and shrubs as well as helping his neighbors.

Sean is survived by his son Thomas, his sisters Kathleen, Sheila, and Margaret and brother Hugh, and predeceased by Theresa and Thomas. And nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and many friends. He touched many lives and will be missed terribly.