The funeral of a Co Tipperary-born chef who was shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas city, Missouri, in August last year has heard that he was a “doting” family man who had a deep pride in his culture and had a special talent for bringing people together with his cooking.
Such was the esteem in which Shaun Paul Brady was held in his native Nenagh, and his adopted home of Missouri, that a GoFundMe fundraiser set up to support his wife and two young children raised €185,000.
The fundraising was organised by the team behind the annual Kansas City Irish Fest, who indicated that the 44-year-old had made an enormous contribution to their community.
Mr Brady’s widow Katie and his children Seamus (13) and Mary, who celebrated her 10th birthday on Christmas Day, travelled to Nenagh in recent days.
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A requiem Mass for Mr Brady took place at Saint Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh at noon on Saturday. Chief celebrant Fr Pat Gilbert said the death of Mr Brady, who had intervened in an attempted car theft, had left an “immense void” in the lives of all who knew him.
Fr Gilbert said that, above all, Mr Brady was a “family man”.
“I believe fatherhood was his greatest joy and he embraced it with all his heart.”
Fr Gilbert said Mr Brady had lived a life of “immense generosity, kindness and compassion”.
“He obviously gave freely of himself to others whether through a listening ear, a helping hand or the meals he passionately prepared.
“His love for cooking was not merely about food. It was a vocation. It was about bringing people together, creating joy and sharing a piece of his soul with everyone who tasted his creations. His Irish flair in the kitchen became a hallmark of his restaurant in Kansas city, where he spent 17 years building a life and a legacy.
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“He brought a piece of Ireland with him to America and his restaurant became a haven for the Irish community in Kansas, adorned with symbols of his homeland. It was a gathering place where people felt connected, celebrated and comforted.”
Damien Brady, one of the deceased’s three siblings, said he wanted to thank the people of Tipperary and Kansas for all of their support.
“Although Shaun Paul was the middle child in our family, he was our big brother. He was always there to support us when we needed him. He was a funny uncle to all of his nieces and nephews and a dear friend to so many.”
“He relentlessly pursued his passion to become the talented chef he was.
“He knew from such a young age that this was his vocation. He wanted to do Home Ec in school so he fought to get into the girls’ secondary school Home Ec classes. He would leave the Brothers a few classes a week to go to an all-girls’ school and do a class that was typically not taught to boys. Shaun Paul was in his element.
“To be that age and to know that chefing was going to be his career and to be brave enough and stubborn enough to follow it, and not be told ‘No’. Shaun Paul had a drive and a determination to succeed. A role model to us all.”
He added that his brother had built a “wonderful life” for himself in Kansas city. However, he had never forgotten his heritage.
“Shaun Paul was so proud to call Nenagh his home. He never forgot where he came from.”
Mr Brady was a co-owner of Brady’s KC restaurant in the Brookside area of Kansas City. He was bringing refuse to a bin outside his restaurant on August 28th, 2024, when he noticed that individuals were stealing a car. He intervened and was shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Two male juveniles were arrested in connection with the case. The teenagers were charged with second degree murder and “attempted stealing”. One of the teenagers was later released from detention after the charges against him were dropped.
Mr Brady is survived by his wife, children, his mother Mary, siblings Damien, Vivian and Sandra and his extended family and friends. After Saturday’s service, his ashes were interred at Lisboney New Lawn Cemetery.
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