Florida Catholic | Obituary :: Philip John Brady

OBITUARY

Philip John Brady, 70

St. Thomas Catholic School principal, diocesan School Board member and long–time Catholic educator died Jan. 4.

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 01.25.08

LAKELAND | Principal Philip John Brady, a welcoming, smiling presence to the students of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in St. Cloud, died Jan. 4. He was 70.

The Lakeland resident began his life in Catholic education as a student at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Bayonne, N.J. His journey continued through Catholic high school, college, graduate school and eventually led to eight years as principal at St. Joseph Elementary in Lakeland, and finally to his position as principal of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was serving his second term on the Diocese of Orlando School Board when he died.

Father John P. Caulfield, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Lakeland, considered Brady a good friend and great gift. “He was a wonderful educator, a faith-filled mentor of young people. He had to carry significant crosses. He and his wife, Anne, had to give back their daughter Meaghan to the Lord in 2002 and his gift of redemptive suffering in his final illness was bravely borne. He will be well-remembered and sorely missed by many.”

Brady was born Aug. 15, 1937, in Bayonne, N.J. and leaves behind his wife, Anne; son Sean, a teacher at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School in Altamonte Springs and a coach at Bishop Moore High School in Orlando; daughter Erin and two grandchildren.

In addition to his Jan. 8 funeral Mass celebrated at St. Joseph Parish, a memorial Mass was also celebrated Jan. 11 by Father Fabián Gimeno, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in St. Cloud, and four concelebrating priests, along with the entire school, the parish and diocesan community.

A prayer service celebrated by the school community immediately preceded the Mass. A faculty member and student representative from each class released a balloon of prayer to rise up to heaven.

Some of the children’s sentiments on the balloon prayers included: “Mr. Brady, you were a wonderful person. P.S. The school will never be the same”; “We know you are in good hands and we will always remember Mr. Brady in our hearts”; “There was always a smile on your face”; and “Mr. Brady, you were a great leader.”

The St. Thomas community has also responded in an overwhelming fashion to memorial fundraisers in Brady’s name. Mary Ellen Massey, assistant principal, said, “He was so knowledgeable and experienced. I learned so much from him. He was such a spiritual man. He never complained, but was a true model of offering up his suffering to the Lord. He was a true man of God and a gifted educator.”

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OBITUARY

Philip John Brady, 70

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