Gerald "Dale" Brady

Gerald D. “Dale” Brady, 87, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026, at WellSpan Community Hospital, Ephrata, following a brief illness. He was a resident of Keystone Villa at Ephrata since 2024. Born in Conestoga, PA, he was the son of the late Landis S. and Fannie (Karr) Brady.

Dale and Dorothy (“Dot”), his late wife of 65 years, were devoted parents and grandparents to their large family of six children, 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. In fact, as their children grew and left home, rather than downsize, the couple built a bigger home to comfortably host regular cousins’ sleepovers, holiday gatherings, summer picnics, and extended family reunions. They consistently modeled the value of family at the heart of their lives, regularly attending grandchildren’s sporting events, music concerts, theater performances, graduations, birthday parties, baby showers, and all the little moments in between.

Dale received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Secondary Social Studies and Science Education from Millersville State College, studying and working fulltime while supporting his young growing family. He spent his career as an elementary school teacher at Leola Elementary School in Conestoga Valley School District. For many years, he held a supplemental weekend job as a waiter at The Log Cabin Restaurant. In retirement, he worked as a driver at Manheim Auto Auction.

A natural athlete, Dale participated in track and field and played soccer as a young man and participated in numerous softball leagues throughout his life. He eagerly joined in family basketball and football games even as his grandchildren grew to be teens. He and Dot enjoyed watching tennis and were able to travel to the US Open several times. Dale was a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan, and his family are thankful they were able to take him to experience one last Phillies game in 2025.

Dale loved the outdoors, traveling, and history. He was a true work horse and a master at felling trees and digging out rocks to clear the land on which he and Dot eventually built their large home on wooded acreage in Ephrata.

Dale and Dot were longtime members of First Church in Ephrata. Along with his Bible, he kept another favorite book, Off the Beaten Path, next to his recliner and leaned heavily upon it to plan many fascinating road trips he and Dot enjoyed together. In addition to regular visits to Colonial Williamsburg, they traveled and camped in their Volkswagen van as they visited state and national parks and numerous friends and relatives throughout the country. Dale loved spotting for wildlife, especially moose, always ready with his VHS camcorder to capture any sightings. We are left with hours upon hours of blurry video along with his running commentary to prove it!

For decades, the ever-expanding Brady bunch enjoyed annual family vacation weeks at Rehoboth Beach, DE, and, in 2018, Dale and Dorothy were able to purchase a second home in Lewes, DE where they enjoyed several years filled with ocean breezes and seaside sunsets prior to her passing in early 2024.

In addition to Dot and his parents, Dale was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond “Clair” Brady, and a granddaughter, Jessie Ritenour. He is survived by a sister, Doris “Elaine” Burkhart, his children, Gerald “Jerry” (Cheryl) Brady, Jr., Patrick (Judy) Brady, Richard (Kathleen) Brady, Karen (James) Weinhold, Janice Burlison, and Dana (Randy) Ritenour; grandchildren, Eric Brady, Meghan (Logan) Gleason, Kyle Brady, Duncan Brady, Sarah (Eric) Emerson, Lucas (Megan) Brady, Logan (Lisa) Brady, Carlton (Cayla) Brady, Samantha (Julia) Orloff, Chase (Wendi) Weinhold, Colton Weinhold, Miles Weinhold, Leah (Ricky) Pittman, Jermiah “JC” (Queen) King, Kayla (Eric) Artley, Melissa (Kyle) Sanders, Daytona Burlison, and Brady Ritenour; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Family and friends will be received from 10-11a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Charles Snyder Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dale’s name to The National Park Foundation, Attn: Gift Processing, P.O. Box 17394, Baltimore, MD 21298-9450 or at https://www.nationalparks.org.