Joseph A. Braje

Joseph A. Braje — Born of immigrant parents of Croatia; Chicago Fire Dept. Engineer, Eng. Co. 34; WWII U.S. Navy Veteran, served aboard the USS Pine Island AV12 in the Southwest Pacific, 7th Fleet—passed peacefully at home on August 19th, 2021. Beloved husband of the late Mae (née Szaga); loving father of Mary (the late Charles) Sekera, David Braje, Marge (Len) Tucker, Rita (Edward) Emmenegger, and Rose (Jim) Alexander. Devoted grandfather of the late Jeanne Eilert (née Sekera), Anna Braje-Kinard (Ian), Jill (Rob) DeNardo, James (Natalie) Tucker, Mandy Tucker, Michael (Mandy) Emmenegger, Thomas, Annie, and Elizabeth Emmenegger, Steve (Julia) Alexander, Georgia (Bob) Ehle, Yuri Alexander (Kayla Hahn), Joseph Alexander (Kaley O'Donnell) and Dimitra Alexander. Proud great-grandfather of Tyler, Alexys, Lucille, Kylie, Lauren, Sophie, Aubrey, Braden, Briar, Evan, Mickenzie, Sidney, Sacha, and Vera. Cherished brother of James (the late Loretta) Braje and the late Mildred Goravica. Dear uncle to many loved nieces and nephews. Dearest best friend of shipmate, Gus Elison.

Member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 32; IAFF-Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2; American Legion Post 667; Gaelic Fire Brigade; accomplished musician and author, and artist.

The family of Joseph would like to thank his caregivers, Krystyna & Vicky, for the love they always showed him.

Visitation on Wednesday, August 25th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Andrew J. McGann & Son Funeral Home, 10727 S Pulaski, Chicago, IL. Funeral at 9:30 AM on Thursday, August 26th, at McGann Funeral Home, proceeding to St. Germaine Church, 9711 S Kolin, Oak Lawn, IL for Mass at 10:30 AM. Entombment, Resurrection Mausoleum, 7201 Archer Ave, Justice, IL, directly after funeral mass.

Per Joe’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/metro/ways-to-give/

As Joe would always say, “SEE YA’ WHEN I SEE YA’!”