James B. Brady

James Bernard Brady, age 86, died on December 11, 2021 in West Columbia, South Carolina. Born on Christmas Eve in 1934, Jim was the youngest and last surviving of the five children of Bernard and Gertrude Brady of Cleveland, Ohio.

At the age of eighteen, Jim was called to study as a Jesuit, where he remained for the next twelve years. Six months prior to his ordination, he left the Jesuits to marry the love of his life, Patricia Brady of New York, New York.

After leaving the seminary, Jim worked in the marketing department of Time Life Books for fifteen years, a job that brought him, and his family, from New York, New York, Washington D.C., and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. After leaving that company, he worked as a marketing executive for such companies as: US News and World Report; Garden Way Publishing (as an Associate Publisher); Chittenden Bank of Vermont (as a Senior Vice President of Marketing); and Subway (as the marketing director for local markets). After Jim’s retirement he worked for twelve years at the St. George Catholic Church in Guilford, Connecticut.

Jim’s interest in the study of scripture was passionate and lifelong. During his training as a Jesuit he earned degrees at Xavier University and Loyola University, where he received advanced degrees in education and philosophy respectively, receiving his Ph.L. through the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome. Even after retirement, Jim continued his post-graduate studies at the Yale Divinity School. What he learned throughout his life, he was only too happy to share; rare indeed were the times that Jim was not participating in, or leading, a Bible study group.

In 2011, Jim and Pat moved from Connecticut to the Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community in West Columbia, South Carolina. There, Jim often could be found gardening, line dancing, painting, baking bread, attending church services, or in warm conversation with the many friends he’d made among the lovely residents and staff.

Jim and Patricia were married for fifty-two years, during which time the two were always, and profoundly, in love. Patricia passed away two years ago. They are survived by their three daughters: Lt. Col. (ret) Elizabeth H. Brady and her husband Terrence Zecha of Arlington, Virginia; Jessica B. Pettit and her husband Kevin Pettit of West Columbia, South Carolina; and Sarah H. Brady and her husband Andrew Doherty of Dorchester, Massachusetts. Jim is also survived by his three grandchildren: Ronin, Lydia, and Josie Pettit of West Columbia, as well as numerous and well-loved cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held in the Still Hopes Chapel on December 22, 2021, with a private burial.

Memorials may be made in his honor to the Still Hopes Resident Assistance Fund at One Still Hopes Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.