The family of John Michael Brady are saddened to announce his passing at the Halifax Infirmary on Monday, October 7, 2024. Acording to his wishes upon death viable organs and tissues were harvested for transplants in recipients in need.

 

John Michael Brady, 69, was born in the Annapolis Valley, NS and moved to Halifax as a young person. Having skipped primary and grade twelve he attended Dalhousie University, participated in Varsity wrestling, competed in the Winter Canada Games, and later served at them as a referee. At age 19 he married Deborah (Goodwin) while attending university later graduating with his Physical Education Degree and awarded the Lord Strathcona Prize for first in class.

After teaching for two years in Halifax County John and Debbie moved to PEI in 1977 where he taught at Ellerslie Elementary for 33 years. As time passed he told her he felt lucky to have found a city girl that was willing to move to the country with him. She's still not a 'farm girl' but has been very happy settled in such a friendly and supportive community.

John placed a high value on youth sport and was actively involved in both school and community activities coaching a long list of sports: softball, cross country, soccer, and wrestling to name just a few. He coached kids hockey teams beginning with Squirts up through to Minor Junior. He was a dedicated father to four sons and built an outdoor rink every year, even planting a ½ acre of grass in front of the house for playing softball. Even though John was very busy with sports he always made time to call Debbie during recess and noon breaks just to say hello. That's a hallmark of the man she loved for their 50 years of marriage.

Being an avid learner John studied French and Spanish and successfully completed graduate studies in education from Acadia. He retired in 2010 wanting to free up a position for a younger teacher and to pursue the development of his apple orchard.

He also thought it was a good time to try judo but after a few years he realized he was no longer 20 years old and the healing process for being tossed through the air was slow and taking away from his passion for growing apples. The orchard blossomed—all puns intended—with 22 varieties and 1,000 trees, which is a lot for one man.

He was proud of the great quality apples he took to the Summerside Farmers’ market and supplied to other markets. The knowledge he shared among apple growers—often delivered with banter—was an ongoing and essential part of their learning and success.

John is survived by wife, Debbie, sons: Sean (Meagan), Bryan (Rashika), James (Trish) and Andrew (Eveline Homburg). John has 5 grandchildren: Jack, Ellen and Ben in Halifax; Nayan and Ketan in Ottawa. He is also survived by brothers: Joe (Faye), Tom (Noreen Morrison), William; and sisters: Kaireen (Doug Chaytor), Heather Perkins (Alan Idler). John was predeceased by infant sister Janet and his oldest sister Mary (Georgia) and his parents Jack and Alberta Brady.

 

Forwarded from Ferguson Tyne Valley Funeral Chapel to Tyne Valley Presbyterian Church on Saturday for visiting hours 1:00 - 3:50 pm, followed by his funeral service at 4:00 pm. Interment to follow in the Church Cemetery. Following the interment everyone is welcome, for a celebration of life at the Tyne Valley Fire Hall starting at 5:45 pm continuing until all the good stories have been enjoyed with food and refreshments served.

 

Donations in John's Memory:
John was chair and treasurer of the Tyne Valley Presbyterian Cemetery for 18 years. He and his sons also mowed and maintained the property for many of those years; in spite of the fact, as John would say, "there's a lot more names starting with Mac in the cemetery than there are Bradys"

Family flowers only, in memory of John donations can be made to the cemetery fund in several ways:
- send eTransfer to [email protected]
- send cheque to Tyne Valley Presbyterian Cemetery c/o Irene MacLean, P.O. Box 65, 7022 Rte 12. TYNE VALLEY, PEI C0B 2C0
- donation options contact Irene MacLean call: 902-831-3088| email: [email protected]

- OR - to a charity of your choice in John's memory.