Dr. William “Bill” Francis Brady DDS, age 87, of Franklin, passed away at his home on May 22, 2020. Known as ‘Doctor Brady’, he lived in the same historical house in Franklin for almost 60 years, where he built an amazing family life and community legacy.
He was the beloved husband of the late Julia L. “Judi” (Piattoni) Brady, and devoted father of five sons: William F. Brady III and his partner, Lois Hill, of Bali, Indonesia; John L. Brady and his wife, Christine, of Palm City, FL; Christopher R. Brady and his wife, Thuy Pham, of Franklin, MA; Scott H. Brady and his wife, Denise, of Louisville, KY; and Jeffrey L. Brady and his partner, Tracy Lane, of Naples, FL. He was also the loving grandfather of Christopher McNeeley, Emily, Eliza, Sierra, Jacqueline, Sean, Kate, and Mia Brady.
Bill was the son of William and Margaret Brady of Medford, MA, and brother of Marguerite Freeman of Centerville, MA, Marilyn Brady (predeceased), and Daniel Brady and his wife, Camille, of Georgetown, MA.
Education was a huge driver in Bill’s life journey. He attended Malden Catholic High School (1950), Boston College (1954), obtained a Master of Public Health at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1956), and a Doctorate in Dental Surgery at the University of Maryland Dental School (1960).
For many years after his retirement, Bill was a very popular and admired teacher of history with LLARC at Regis College, the school’s adult education program. His classes were oversubscribed and had long waiting lists. His jokes are legendary.
A pillar in the community, Doctor Brady was a very popular dentist who knew just about everyone in Franklin. If you walked down Main Street with him, you would hear many people say, “Hey Doc!” He started practicing in 1961 with Dr. James Howard on Main Street and moved to Cottage Street with Dr. Harmon Smith, then constructed the Franklin Dental Association building at 397 East Central Street in 1974. He was instrumental in having the town include fluoride in its water supply, and played an important role in negotiating with the Milford Hospital to bring the first group of medical specialists to Franklin.
Bill was the President of the Franklin Youth Soccer Association during its emergence in the 1960’s, and he was the leader in the effort to persuade Franklin High School to allow soccer to become a varsity sport.
Bill was a member of the Board of Directors of Benjamin Franklin Savings Bank for over 25 years, and served as Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Loan Committee until the bank merged with Rockland Trust Bank.
Bill was active his entire life. He was an enthusiastic skier and spent most of his ski days at Waterville Valley, NH and Vail, CO. He was also an avid tennis player and golfer. His family was the New England Lawn Tennis Association Family of the Year in 1978. He was proud that all five of his sons were ranked players in New England and played on Xaverian Brothers High School State Championship teams, with four going on to play tennis at the university level. He was a beloved member of the Franklin Country Club for over five decades.
There is no funeral service scheduled at this time. However, the family is planning an event at a later date to celebrate his life and legacy.
Bill and Judi were very involved in the Waterville Valley Adaptive Ski Program for children with special needs, and donations in his memory can be made through their website at Staging.watervilleadaptive.com
Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).