Joe Brophy is the father of Joe Brophy '85, Mike Brophy '89, and Kevin Brophy '90. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.
Joseph Francis Brophy, II Joseph (Joe) Francis Brophy, II was born on July 15, 1939 in Queens, NY. He passed on January 27, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19 in his adopted hometown of Dallas, TX. Joe was the proud son of Joseph and Mary Dooley Brophy and loving little brother of Moya Brophy Gowing. His parents were Irish immigrants, seeking the dream this great country offers all and they found it on Ireland Street (aptly named by Joe Sr.) in Elmhurst, Queens, Joe's boyhood home, where pictures of Jesus Christ and FDR were proudly hung. He graduated from St. Francis Catholic Prep in Brooklyn. Notwithstanding the Vietnam War, he voluntarily attended Officer's Candidate School, USMC-1966. Semper Fidelis! He graduated with an English degree from St. John's University (New York), where he played football. He was an aspiring writer, but the reality of marriage and children took him into business. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Moya Brophy Gowing and Joseph Gowing and brother-in-law, Michael Mulqueen. Joseph and Michael, also proud veterans of the Army and USMC, respectively. Joe is survived by his wife of 54 years, Anne Mulqueen Brophy; his daughter and son-in-law, Christina & Dr. Michael O'Shell of Houston and their two children, Allie and Michael; and his three sons and daughters-in-law: Joseph (III) & Catherine of Austin and their two children, Lauren and Ashley; Michael & Kate of Plano and their two children, Ella and Anna; and Kevin & Kari of Houston and their two children, Molly and Mary. Joe is also survived by Joseph and Moya Gowing's children, his nieces and nephews, Briana, Monica, Joseph, Brendan and Liam, who he loved like his own children. He is further survived by his brother-in-law, John Mulqueen (Army) and his wife Joanne and their children, Michael and John and other extended family and friends. Joe had a big heart and treated all friends like family. Joe met Anne Mulqueen at a Halloween party in New York City. He married the love of his life on July 2, 1966. They began their family in Queens, moved to Long Island and finally, Texas. They maintained lifelong friendships from New York to Texas. Joe and Anne were involved in their children's schools- St. Paul the Apostle (Richardson), Dallas Jesuit College Prep and Ursuline Academy. He loved coaching his kids in basketball and baseball. Anne was Joe's rock and truly a saint. Joe loved life, his family, his friends and entertaining and meeting others. He was a real "people person." He enjoyed traveling, playing golf (so long as his back, knees and hips cooperated), especially with his sons. Joe is probably settling in for a nice pint of Smithwick's, a fine Brunello, or his go to vodka on the rocks, while grilling (burning) a hamburger or steak over a charcoal grill. For the last twenty years, Joe and Anne loved their association and participation in Dallas's Irish American Society. Joe is a Past President and Anne was honored as the 2014 Irish Person of the Year. They enjoyed the many friendships formed through the IAS and supporting and promoting its philanthropic causes. Joe really enjoyed the weekly luncheons and celebrations at Trinity Hall, particularly the Lord's favorite day, St. Patrick's Day, of course. But, in truth, whether you were Irish or Catholic, it did not matter, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, Joe loved the company of good people and did his best to live by the Golden Rule. A truly proud son of Queens, America's ultimate "melting pot." Joe spent forty-one years working for W. H. Sadlier, Inc. in New York and Dallas, starting as a salesman and advancing to a senior executive in the NYC office. He was passionate about education and particularly, Catholic schools and boasted about "selling salvation". His friendships with principals, pastors, teachers and co-workers brought great joy to his life. And, he had a penchant for funneling, at no cost, educational materials to the poorest Parishes and Catholic schools "under cover of the night." It was generally the nuns, who knew it, loved him for it and considered him a saint, despite his Queens/Marine parlance. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 4pm-6pm at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75243. Joe's life will be celebrated at a funeral Mass at noon on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at St. Rita Catholic Church, 12521 Inwood Rd., Dallas, TX 75244. Due to COVID 19, social distancing and masks will be required, but that will not stop Joe from being sent out Irish style by his boys. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Bishops Invitational Golf Tournament supporting Dallas area Catholic schools online (https://bishopsgolf.org) or by check made out to "Bishop's Invitational Golf Tournament" and mailed to 3725 Blackburn St, Dallas, TX 75219. Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas |