Feb 6, 2018

Edward Boyd Braden Jr., a child of God, fell asleep in Jesus Christ Friday, February 2, 2018, in Asbury Heights, The Villas, located on Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh.

“Ebb,” as he was known, a nickname formed from the first letter in each word of his formal name, was born October 4, 1946, a son of Edward and Elizabeth Malone Braden of Pittsburgh. When he was two years of age, the family moved into a home on Wenzel Avenue in Dormont – a home for him until February 2014.

Mr. Braden, an only child, was raised in the Roman Catholic faith, attending St. Pius X and becoming an usher. He was also a very fine bowler and a regular on the church team. He was known as “Mr. Spare” for his ability to convert spares no matter how difficult the conversion. He was a member at St. Pius X from 1948 to 2015.

His faith was very important to him, and he almost never missed attending Sunday Mass. The last three years, he was a member of St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.

In his toddler years, Mr. Braden was stricken with a common childhood disease. His condition became critical. When a Catholic priest came to the hospital for prayer, perhaps the last rites, as the priest lifted his pectoral cross to bless him, a beam of light from the overhead lights reflected off the cross striking him in the forehead. His eyes focused, and his fever broke. Under the loving care of his father, mother and Aunt Kit Malone, he grew stronger. Though slowed down, it did not stop him from taking his rightful place in the world.

Mr. Braden was a 1966 graduate of South High School. Following high school, he went to Connelly Trade School, studying carpentry for two years. Thereafter, he began working various jobs, first as a receiving and shipping clerk for Stephen Richards Co. at Banksville Plaza from 1968 to 1982, then as a sexton at Grafner Brothers Jewelry Store in downtown Pittsburgh from 1982 to 2008. He finished his work with Grafner Brothers when the jewelry store was relocated to Wexford in Cranberry Township. Grafner Brothers was kind enough to provide a pension for him, which was given to him when he retired.

He worked at News Analyst Institute until he reached retirement age. Colene Rogers and her employees kept in touch with him, even after they moved out of downtown Pittsburgh. He was invited to their annual holiday celebrations and was provided with transportation to and from the events. He loved those occasions and was very thankful for Ms. Rogers’ and her employees’ attention and concern.

His father and mother went on family vacations to places like Atlantic City, N.J., Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nev. He and his dad were season ticket holders for Pitt football, and Mr. Braden loved the Pittsburgh Pirates. He knew the public transportation system very well and could go anywhere in Pittsburgh. When his mother died in 1983, and his father in 1989, his father’s sister, Joanna B. Schott, became his support and he continued to live independently in his home. In March 2010, his Aunt Joanna died. At this time, his first cousin, the Rev. Kenneth N. Schott II, walked with him these final years of his earthly life.

In August 2013, Mr. Braden was diagnosed with cancer, necessitating radiology, chemotherapy and surgery. He gave up his home and moved into Asbury Heights, The Villas, in February 2014. He ruled the front porch of the Villas and the care for him was outstanding. He appreciated the administration, the nurses, the cleaning staff and the dietary department for the always loving and timely services he received. He met the most wonderful people through UPMC and Dr. Snead and her nurses (radiology), Dr. Nadler and his staff (surgeon) and Dr. Vincent Reyes (cancer) and Dr. Sarah and their nurses and staff made his numerous appointments these past three-and-a-half years as pleasant and comfortable as could be expected. His primary care physician, Dr. Robert McMichael of Fatigati and Associates in Mt. Lebanon, was also attentive to his needs. Family Hospice and Palliative Care accompanied him during his final days.

“May the Lord watch over us while we are absent one from the other.”

Family and friends are welcome from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday in Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2630 West Liberty Avenue, Dormont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 10, in St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Lebanon. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Lebanon.

To add or view tributes, visit www.beinhauer.com.