Richard Brady, a former Botsford Fire Rescue chief who passed away in July 2022, left a strong legacy in Newtown. More recently, all his good deeds were not only recognized, but also helped prompt a generous good deed in return to assist his surviving wife and daughter.

Brown Roofing of Seymour has established a program called Roofing For Humanity, where they give away a roof replacement to one selected recipient per year. Last year, Brown began the program to help a family who has supported their community and needed some assistance of their own.

“We’ve made giving back part of our culture,” said owner Eddie Griffin. “We wanted to give back to the Bradys because they gave so much.”

The program had four finalists, and Amy Brady was selected as the finalist. Amy lives in the home she once shared with Richard with her daughter, Becky, and her 90-year-old mother.

The house was in need of a roof, but economic uncertainty made it challenging for the family to furnish the home with a costly new roof. Then, Amy’s story was brought to the attention of Brown Roofing and Griffin.

Brown Roofing’s employees came out in force to do the roof repair on June 15, along with members of Botsford Fire Rescue who were on scene to lend any assistance they could and to show support.

Amy lost her husband when he was just 63, after dealing with some serious health issues. For many years, Richard had been the main provider for his wife, son and daughter.

Throughout his lifetime, Richard had always given back to the community as a volunteer with Botsford Fire Rescue. He was a founding member of the Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue Team and a member of the Stepney Baptist Church of Monroe, where he served as a deacon and was active in music ministry.

Richard served with Botsford since 1977. He was Botsford’s second assistant chief in 1988, and from 1996 to 1998; the first assistant chief from 1989 to 1991, and from 1999 to 2000; and chief from 2001 to 2003.

Service to the community was a family affair even before Amy met Richard at a Botsford Turkey Raffle when she was an EMT and he was a volunteer firefighter. They eventually connected as a couple while training together at a dive rescue course when NUSAR was first getting off the ground.

Amy said she has “always been [part of] a giving family;” her father was a volunteer firefighter and her mother was an EMT before her.

“It was a way of life,” said Amy.

One way Richard has left a lasting legacy with the Botsford Fire Department, beyond all the firefighters who remember him fondly and came out to assist in any way they could with the roofing project, was the pair of firehose nozzles he personally made as a tool and die maker.

Botsford Fire Rescue support member Bill McAllister noted that the two nozzles Richard made during his coffee and lunch breaks at work over roughly 1,800 hours during the course of a year, have seen “25 years of use and abuse, and are still 100 percent.”

“Not many people can say their legacy still stands at the end of a hose line,” said McAllister. “Each time we pick up a hose, it brings back memories of Rich.”

The one-inch tipped nozzles can direct 200 gallons of water per minute at a range of 60 feet, and feature a “longer neck for a much better stream,” said McAllister.

Botsford First Assistant Chief Pete Blomberg said Botsford came out to support Amy, as Richard had been “not only the chief but a friend.” Blomberg said that the Brady’s children were “in the firehouse all the time” during Richard’s time at the station.

“We’re very thankful to Brown Roofing,” said Blomberg. “Rich gave a lot, and now they’re giving back.”

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.