John “Jack” Brophy, Sr.

John “Jack” Brophy Sr. passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at St. Mary Medical Center at the age of 79.

Born in August 1946 in Bristol, PA, Jack lived the kind of life that made people wonder how many times he’d already used up his nine lives. He often joked that his birth certificate came stapled to a death certificate, yet he spent nearly eight decades proving the universe wrong. Over the years he drove tractor trailers, ran a gas station, hung drywall, and generally took on every job that required grit, stubbornness, and a questionable respect for personal safety. He retired from Hill Refrigeration after an accident that left discs damaged at every level of his spine—and after doctors in the 90s confidently told him he’d be in a wheelchair within ten years (he defied those odds with enthusiasm). Add in the time 40,000 tons of steel went through the cab of his truck and he simply walked away, and it’s no wonder his passing came as a shock to those who knew him best.

When he wasn’t cheating death recreationally, Jack poured his energy into woodworking, and baking. He loved trips to HersheyPark, Seaside Heights, and Atlantic City, and in later years became an unexpected recurring character in his daughter Marie’s adventure vlog on YouTube. His commentary ranged from critiques of Ripley’s Believe It or Not artifacts to declaring a roadside chapel on Route 30 a “rest area for a church.” Outside of his brief YouTube fame, he was a movie buff, a car guy, and an occasional Eagles viewer—mostly because his daughters insisted on raising him right.

Jack is predeceased by his wife, Deborah (Thomas) Brophy; daughter Kim (Brophy) Rossi; son in law Mark Rossi; parents Margaret (Kelly) Brophy and Frank Brophy; and siblings Tom Brophy, Mary Jo (Brophy) Gauntt, Nancy (Brophy) Kasperitis, Jeff Brophy, Kevin Brophy, Robert Brophy, and Kathy (Brophy) Orsino.

He is survived by his daughter Marie Brophy; his son John Brophy (Kimm) of Bristol; siblings Lawrence Brophy of Florida, Patrick Brophy of Bossier City, LA, Edward Brophy, Christopher Brophy and Michael Brophy of Bristol, Lori Brophy Downs of Croydon, Timmy Brophy, Pat Brophy, Bill Brophy, and Ronald Brophy, all of Levittown, Scott Brophy of Fairless Hills, and Christopher Brophy and Terri Loy of Hainesport, NJ. He also leaves behind enough nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to fill a small football stadium, plus one great great grandchild to keep the dynasty going.

Funeral services are private under the direction of the Wade Funeral Home, Bristol Borough. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Vascular Campaign at St. Mary Medical Center.