Eugene M. Brady

Eugene M. Brady, a lifelong son and dedicated community leader of Northeastern Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at his Mountain Top home on November 1, 2022, after a short illness. Gene was surrounded by his immediate family. His death completed his earthly and spiritual journey to an almost certain and well-earned eternal heavenly reward.

Gene Brady was born November 14, 1949 in Wilkes-Barre, the son of a mason and small business owner, the late Edward Leo and Helen (Flynn) Brady. He was proud of his Irish heritage and to be an American.

For more than four decades as Executive Director of the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), Gene was one of NEPA's leading advocates for the people most in need-the poor, the hungry-especially hungry children, and the elderly.

Gene provided local, regional, and national leadership on policy issues related to energy, housing, food and nutrition, and economic development in low-income communities-bringing to other areas the findings of CEO's successes at tackling problems of the disadvantaged.

Under his leadership at CEO, which he dubbed the "People Helping People" agency, the organization has grown to offering more than two dozen programs ranging from emergency response to basic human needs, to long-term self-sufficiency for the elderly and families, and to energy innovations that lessen the financial burdens of struggling families.

Gene's proudest achievement and a lasting monument of his career was his founding the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Regional Food Bank. The Pittston, PA facility works with a network of 250 local food partners to feed hungry families in four counties of NEPA. Gene's laser focus to leave no one hungry led the Food Bank to provide, during the COVID pandemic alone, nearly 20 million pounds of food to the region. Much of his final work at CEO was initiating and planning a 15,000-square-foot expansion of the Food Bank.

He was also the founder and President of the Housing Development Corporation of NEPA. The Housing Development Corporation developed the Growing Homeowners Initiative, providing financing to hundreds of families to become first-time home buyers. During his tenure, the organization assisted over 2,000 families to purchase their first home, weatherized over 20,000 homes, and developed over 1,000 units of affordable housing. For their work, HDC received the Department of Housing and Urban Development's National Door Knocker Award for green building.

At CEO, Gene has helped start two incubator facilities, developed a business loan program that assisted over 100 businesses, and has developed successful private sector joint ventures. The prototype for Individual Development Accounts, called Family Savings Program, was piloted in Pennsylvania by CEO. Over 250 families have successfully completed the Family Savings Program.

He served as board president of the National Center for Appropriate Technology and was vice-president of the National Community Action Foundation.

He was an advisor on the Management Committee for Community Energy and Training for Exxon Mobil, America's largest private company.

Gene served as chair of the Pennsylvania Weatherization Task Force and the Department of Community and Economic Development Weatherization Policy Advisory Council.

He was once sent as part of a United States delegation to the former Soviet Union to advise on creating the not-for-profit sector in the new Russia. Additionally, he has been an advisor to Great Britain on Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy.

He was a board member of Wyoming Valley Jewish Counseling Services, the Martin Luther King Social Justice Committee, and Catholic Social Services. He was the chairman of the United Way of Wyoming Valley Agency Financing Committee.

Previous to his work at CEO, Gene worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC. He also worked for Brady and Sons, a private family construction business.

Gene graduated from St. Mary's High School and King's College in Wilkes-Barre, where he earned a degree in Biochemistry. He also earned a Master's degree in urban planning from American University in Washington, D.C.

Gene coached the St. Jude's School Varsity Basketball team for many years. His teams enjoyed success on the court, and he helped prepare his many players for the future.

Gene's professional and personal life was an extension of his deep faith and Catholic belief that service to others, especially those most vulnerable and in need, is the highest calling one can have.

His sister, Sr. Mary Joseph Brady Bielicki, preceded him in death.

Gene is survived by his companion and true love, Joanie Brenton, and his children, Edward Brady (Michelle), Mountain Top, PA; Eugene Brady, Wilmington DE; his three grandchildren: Thomas, William and Riley; along with his brother, Edward Brady(Geraldine) and sister, Patricia (late William Desciak). He will also be sadly missed by his third son, Angelo the dog.

Celebration of Gene's Life begins Monday, November 7, 2022, with visitation from 4 to 7 PM at McLaughlin's, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. It continues on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, with a Funeral Mass at 11 AM in the Church of the Parish of Saint Andrew, 316 Parrish Street in Wilkes-Barre.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the CEO Weinberg Northeast Regional Foodbank Expansion, 165 Amber Lane, PO Box 1127 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-1127.
https://www.ceopeoplehelpingpeople.org/genebrady

Share memories and condolences with Gene's family at mjmclaughlin.com