Francis Joseph Brady

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a truly great man, loving husband, devoted father, adored grandfather, and great friend, Francis Joseph Brady. Frank was born on November 3, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York. He was surrounded by family when he passed on August 19, 2023.
The son of Joseph P. Brady, MD and Marion (Cocks) Brady, the family relocated to Gallipolis, Ohio when he was a child, where his father continued his career as a physician at The Holzer Clinic. He then graduated from Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio in 1964. While at Gilmour, he served as class president of his freshman, sophomore, and senior years. He was on the swim team and was captain of the golf team his senior year. Dad and his high school sweetheart and future wife were crowned prom king and queen their senior year. He went on to earn a degree in Economics at Georgetown University, and after graduating in 1968, earned his MBA in Accounting from the University of Chicago in 1970.
He and Mom met as 16-year-olds at a dance in Ohio, dated throughout college, and were married in June of 1969 at Gesu Church in University Heights, Ohio. Dad began his 33+ year career with Ernst & Young in Cleveland as he and Mom began their life and family. Together in Cleveland, they had three children, Kristen, Ryan, and Matt, born in 1972, 1976, and 1979. When Mom was about to welcome their fourth child, Meghan, in 1981, Dad was transferred to Arizona, and they joked for years that, at the time, it felt like they were moving to the moon! The move out west proved to be a great decision and they never looked back!
In 1982, Dad became an audit partner with Ernst & Young in Phoenix, AZ. Respected by all for his work ethic and values, he served on the Arizona State Board of Accountancy for nearly 18 years. He was appointed by the governor to two 5-year terms and served as board president in 1997-1998 and again in 2004-2005. He was also a member of the Accounting and Auditing Standards Committee, and was on the board of the Arizona Society of CPAs.
Dad valued education, giving back to the community, and serving others with his time and talent. He was a dedicated volunteer and board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix from 1987-2002, where he served on numerous committees including the finance, executive, legal, and auction committees. Other civic duties included being the founding treasurer of Kids at Hope, Board Chairman of the Catholic Community Foundation, and he was a member of the audit committee of The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. He was a member of the Board of Directors for Sundt from 2005-2018, a past president of the Phoenix Little Theater, and the Arizona College Scholarship Foundation board treasurer. He was a big supporter of his Alma Mater, Gilmour Academy, and was a member of the Presidents Club for multiple years at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, where his sons and grandsons attended.
Since 1987, Dad was a proud member of Paradise Valley Country Club. While eternally optimistic about making a hole in one, his joy came from playing weekly rounds of golf with good friends and occasionally a grandson or two. He served as treasurer on the Board of Directors from 1999-2009, served on the finance committee, and was elected President of the club for the year 2008-2009.
Upon his retirement, he and Mom enjoyed traveling extensively and visited many places around the world. Most recently, they went to Alaska in June 2023, where they cruised with friends and family. Growing up, we spent summers as a family in San Diego and continued this tradition through the years as our family grew. We were grateful to have enjoyed our latest trip to Mission Bay this past July with all 21 members of the "Brady Bunch" in attendance. Ever humble, Dad always cited his greatest success as his family. The best of friends for over 60 years, he treated Mom with the utmost respect throughout their life together and honored and cherished their 54-year marriage and partnership through every stage of life. He exuded pride when he spoke of his children, always shining a spotlight on each of us in different ways. He and Mom loved Arizona, loved camping and skiing with the family. He was never more content than when his whole family was together: the "Core 6", our spouses, and all 11 of his grandkids.
Dad had a sincere and quiet way of carrying himself, but those who knew him were lucky enough to see much more. He had impeccable timing with a joke, generosity that knew no bounds, and solid relationships that lasted until his last days.
Frank is survived by his wife of 54 years, Constance Hughes Brady. He is also survived by his sister, Dora Brady O'Shaughnessy (Dan) of Charlotte, NC. He is survived by hIs children: Kristen Macneil (Aaron) of Scottsdale, Ryan (Valerie) of Scottsdale, Matthew (April) of Scottsdale, and Meghan England (Bryan) of Columbus, Ohio. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Shannon, Jack, and Finley (Macneil), Aidan, Owen and Evan (Brady), Parker, Grayson and Kendall (Brady) and Morgan and Brady (England).
A mass of Catholic burial will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 1:00pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Community in Scottsdale. A graveside service will immediately follow at Paradise Memorial Gardens at 2:30 with a reception to follow at Paradise Valley Country Club.