March 19, 2003
On 19 March 2003, at the age of seventy-two, our brother
Martin Alfred Brady, T.O.R.
died on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph at Bert Fish Medical Center, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Father Martin was one of nine children born to Peter and Marjorie (Drew) Brady, Sr. He was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania on March 2, 1931. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers: Edward, Peter, Francis, and William, as well as his two sisters, Marjorie and Helen. Father Martin is survived by his Franciscan Community, his two brothers: John of Mount Vernon, New York, and Charles of Tacoma, Washington, and countless students who benefited from his ministry as an educator.
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Father Martin entered the Franciscan Community Novitiate at Highland Hall in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on September 2, 1950. He professed his first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience on September 3, 1951. On September 4, 1954, he made his profession of solemn vows. On December 8, 1956, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, he was ordained as a priest at Trinity College in Washington, D.C. by Most Reverend John McNamara.
Father Martin received a fine education and used those gifts well. He graduated with a BA in philosophy in 1953 and an STL in Theology in 1957 from Catholic University of America. He continued his studies at Duquesne University graduating in 1958 with a M.Ed. in Administration. Following his studies at Duquesne Father Martin was asked to offer his gifts first, as an instructor and chaplain in Little Falls, Minnesota (1958 – 1960), as Rector of Highland Hall, Altoona, Pennsylvania (1960 – 1965), and as an instructor at Bishop Carroll High School in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania (1965 – 1966). After completing his doctoral work in 1968 at Fordham University, Father Martin's talent as a teacher and administrator was called upon when he was appointed headmaster and Superior at James Barry-Robinson High School in Norfolk, Virginia (1968- 1972) and as an instructor again at Bishop Carroll High School from 1974 – 1981 and Bishop Guilfoyle High School from 1982 – 1986.
Teaching was Father Martin's great love. His students remember him as a tough, yet fair teacher. The friendships his former students' maintained with him over the years spoke eloquently of their gratitude for his ministry. Father Martin also had an opportunity to exercise his priestly ministry as an Associate Pastor at Saint Anthony parish in Johnstown, Pennsylvania from 1972 – 1974, as Pastor at Fort Ashby, West Virginia (1986 – 1990) and in Stonewood, West Virginia (1990 – 1997). In his years of retirement Father Martin also often offered his assistance at needy parishes in the Diocese of Orlando. Martin served his Franciscan community in many ways; first, with a good dose of Irish wit and the ability to weave a good story. (He prided himself on not needing a microphone to project his voice.) Behind that booming voice, though, was a tender, compassionate soul. Second, the Community utilized Father Martin's administrative skills when they asked him to serve as Director of, what was then called, the Purgatorial Society from 1982 – 1986.
Father Martin was on vacation in Florida when his health declined. He contracted viral encephalitis and died from complications related to that disease. The friars were with him throughout his last days and Brother Regis Leonard, T.O.R. was with Father Martin during his last hours. While saddened by his death and many years of poor health, we are very grateful for his life, his ministry and his wit.
Mass of Christian Burial
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Altoona, Pennsylvania
806 11th Street
814-942-8501
Wednesday, March 26th 10:00 AM.
Visitation
Steven's Mortuary,
1421 8th Avenue
Altoona, Pennsylvania
814-944-9365
Tuesday, March 25th 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Vigil Prayer Service 3:30 on Tuesday.
Interment
The Community Cemetery at Kladder Station.
Lunch will be served at the Motherhouse of Saint Bernardine's.
General Statutes
64. §1 For the soul of every deceased friar, each priest of the Province to whom the deceased belongs celebrates one Mass. In other Provinces, one Mass for the deceased is celebrated in each fraternity.
66. Besides the suffrages previously mentioned all the friars shall pray the Liturgy of the Hours as a suffrage on the indicated days.
In Christ,
Fraternally,
Fr. Corpus Izquierdo, TOR
Segretario Generale
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