Francis Thomas Brady

Born November 10, 1929 in Minersville, Penn., Frank was the third of four boys born to Katherine Irma and Edward Ambrose Brady. From his early childhood on, Frank proved himself to be an extraordinary athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball, and football. By his senior year in high school, football had become his passion and he caught the eyes of many college recruiters. Although he had scholarship offers from several prestigious universities, Frank had other plans. With World War II as a backdrop to his young life, Frank decided he would follow his eldest brother to the United States Naval Academy.

At Navy, Frank was a stellar defensive back and half-back, contributing to one of the Midshipmen’s longest winning streaks. But his most thrilling moment came on his birthday in the fall of 1951 when, facing top-ranked Maryland in Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, Frank fielded a Terrapin punt and raced 100 yards to the endzone setting an NCAA record that stands today.

Frank’s drive for excellence wasn’t limited to sports, however. Upon his graduation and commissioning in 1953, he became a dedicated naval officer, serving on deployments to the Caribbean, Pakistan, and Lebanon, among other global hot spots of that era.

A particularly fortuitous twist of fate occurred when the warship on which Frank was serving suffered minor damage and was directed to Norfolk, Va., for repair. A shipmate whose girlfriend lived in nearby Portsmouth invited Frank to join them on a double date. Frank accepted the invitation and met the beautiful young Elizabeth Ann “Libby” Warren who would become his wife of nearly 65 years. Frank and Libby married in 1957 and embarked on the Navy life with stops in Jacksonville, Fla., and Charleston, S.C., before returning to Annapolis where Frank served as an assistant coach with the Navy football program.

With a growing family and a desire to establish a more settled home, Frank left active duty and embarked on a new career path with Westinghouse Electric Corporation, while continuing to serve as an officer in the Naval Reserve until his retirement at the rank of Captain in 1982. Frank’s 33-year career at Westinghouse was marked by great success and enduring friendships, culminating with his service as Director of International Marketing for the company’s Electronic Systems Group. In retirement, Frank remained an avid golfer, enjoying many great days with friends at the Naval Academy Golf Course. He also maintained his garden and landscaping at his home in the Pendennis Mount neighborhood and continued his life-long commitment to Navy sports. But his greatest reward in his later years was the chance to spend time with Libby, his children and the 21 grandchildren who called him “Pop.”

Over the course of a long and happy life, Frank was many things: an athlete, a naval officer, a coach, an executive, and a good friend to many. But he was, first and foremost, a husband and a father. Frank was a fully engaged Dad at a time when that was uncommon. He helped with homework (always insisting on a sharply pointed pencil), recited poems he had learned as a child, created his own bedtime stories (called “The Adventures of Billy Birdy”), and explained, in great detail, how to make a bed with crisp “hospital” corners. He ironed shirts, he darned socks, he folded towels, he changed diapers, he made cheese omelets … he never drew a distinction between domestic duties and other responsibilities. He simply did whatever needed to be done and insisted on doing it well.

Frank also believed strongly in giving back to the community and demonstrated that commitment in a long record of service to local organizations, including board positions with: The Naval Academy Foundation, The Naval Academy Alumni Association, the Annapolis Touchdown Club, and Anne Arundel Community College, to name a few.

In addition to Libby, his wife of 64 years, Frank is survived by five children: Regina Brady Vasan, Kathy McMillan, Elizabeth Wasielewski (Phil), Edward W. Brady (Kristin)—all of Annapolis; and Frank Brady, Jr., of Silver Spring. He is also survived by his brother, Michael Joseph Brady of Minersville, Pa.

In addition, Frank is survived by his 21 grandchildren: Katherine McMillan of New York, N.Y.; Anna McMillan of Jacksonville, Fla.; Clare Dion and Madeline Dion of Washington, D.C.; Patrick Dion of Nashville, Tenn.; and Hall McMillan (Kelly), Brady McMillan, Daniel Dion, William Dion, Richard Dion, Jr., Robert Dion, Henry Dion, Andrew Wasielewski, Irene Wasielewski, Stanley Wasielewski, John Brady, Charles Brady, Elinor Brady, Emma Brady, Katherine Brady, and Kendrick Brady Vasan, all of Annapolis.

Frank is predeceased by his daughter Cary Brady Dion (Richard) and two brothers, Robert Edward Brady and Daniel William Brady.

A devout Catholic, Frank’s life will be celebrated with a funeral mass at St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Md., on Monday, February 28 at 10:30 a.m. A burial with military honors at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium will take place immediately following the funeral. A visitation for friends and family is planned for Sunday, February 27, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland.

Memorial donations may be made in Frank’s name to the Naval Academy Foundation at https://www.usna.com/give or by mail at 274 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402.