Earl Brady
Earl E. Brady of Old Forge died peacefully in his sleep Sunday, March 10 at Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Boonville. He was 85 years old. The cause was complications related to Parkinson’s Disease.
Predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary (Davis) Porcari Brady and nephew William E. Gaffke, Earl is survived by his sister Gertrude Brady Gaffke of Rochester, N.Y; nieces Donna Gaffke of Pavilion, N.Y. and Eileen Stanley of Baltimore, MD.; as well as nephew Paul Gaffke of Sarasota, FL.
Earl is also survived by four stepchildren, Mary Virgina (Jinny) Keough of Atlanta, GA, James A. Porcari III of Alpharetta, GA, John D. Porcari of Cheverly, MD, and Charles F. Porcari, of Cheverly, MD; sixteen step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren
Earl Brady was born November 4, 1927 in Buffalo, NY, son of Edward and Marion (Bettendorf) Brady.
The family operated the Brady Funeral Home located on the corner of Main St. and Highgate Ave. in the City of Buffalo for many years.
Earl graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy and Canisius College in Buffalo, where he also owned and operated The Diplomat Lounge before its demolition to make way for the Marine Midland Bank tower.
A longtime resident of the Town of Webb in general and the Big Moose Lake community in particular, Earl worked for years at both Dunn’s Boat Service as well as the Town of Webb Schools, among other positions.
A pilot and private aircraft owner, Earl enjoyed flying throughout the Adirondacks and Upstate New York in both fixed-wheel and float planes.
Noted for his joviality, kinship and sharp wit, Earl was the longtime announcer for the very popular and innovative annual water ski show at Dunn’s Boat Service on Big Moose Lake, featuring the Big Moose Water Ski Club’s talented athletes on the ski jump, trick skis, kite flying and one of the first 6-person water skiing pyramids of the day.
His wit and memorable commentary while announcing the event will be remembered by many!
He served as a member of the Big Moose Fire Department and for several years helped coordinate the annual Winter Carnival in Old Forge.
On a dare, Earl once ran unsuccessfully for Town of Webb Supervisor, and for years afterward proudly showed off his campaign business card tacked to the ceiling of the bar at the Big Moose Inn, along with the hundreds of other cards donated by visitors.
Earl’s family would like to thank the staff and residents of the Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Boonville for their care, support and friendship over the past few years,
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5 at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Old Forge, with a reception to follow at the Parish Center.
Tax deductible donations in Earl’s memory can be made to the Mary Porcari Brady Nursing Student Support Fund via the website www.mpbfund.com, or sent to: Mr. James A. Porcari III, 315 Rhodes Chase Court, Alpharetta, GA 30004.
Online expressions of sympathy may be left at www.dfwefh.com. Arrangements are in care of Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home of Old Forge.
