It is with deep sadness that we must report the death of Jeff Brady, who died peacefully yesterday after a long struggle with cancer. There is no good way to fully express the loss that this means to the Museum as a whole, and to his many friends here and at several other museums as well.
Jeff was one of the longest serving members on record; we think he probably joined about 1960, when IERM was still located at North Chicago. In this picture, he had recently started work on North Shore 354, and its restoration would continue to occupy him as time permitted until it was complete.
And in another picture from North Chicago, he worked on repainting the 277.
Over the years, he tirelessly served the Museum in several ways. He was the President of the Board for at least one term, and was also the Car Department head for a while. He was always ready to contribute his extensive engineering knowledge to projects large and small, and always insisted on completing work to the highest possible standards.
I met him on the day I joined the Museum back in 1974, and he remained a real friend for the next 45 years. In happier days, here we are at Branford when he and Norm were helping with a project to acquire the correct motor truck for one of the CA&E cars. I wish I could say more about him, but I'm really at a loss for words.
We are told that funeral arrangements will be private.
Jeff was a fantastic guy with a great attitude. I too remember him from my earliest volunteering in the shop, and also recall stopping by the CTA Lake Street shops, where he was the manager, on the West Side to pick up two air compressors for IRM's use. These were a green Sullair compressor and an older yellow one.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to all the volunteers who carry on in his memory. Peace to all!
Olin