Robert E. Brophy

Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Brophy, 69, of Neshannock Township, died the morning of May 14, 2009, at Jameson Hospital.

He was born in New Castle on Nov. 27, 1939, to the late Elmer Eugene and Rose Rae Casuccio Brophy.

A 1957 graduate of New Castle High School, he entered the Army that same year and would serve 26 years until retiring on April 1,1983. He retired from duty as the senior enlisted adviser to the Delaware Army National Guard and the Adjutant General of the state of Delaware.

He served in special forces from 1965 to 1973. He served two tours of duty with the 82nd Airborne Division, two tours with the 18th Airborne Corps, and served in Vietnam with the Fifth Special Forces Group, with duty at Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Special Operations Group. He was awarded the Korean service medal, a presidential citation and the Valorous Unit citation.

After retiring from the service he was employed at the Youth Development Center for 11 years as a counselor, retiring in 1997.

He was a member of Mary, Mother of Hope Parish, VFW Post 315, American Legion Post 343 and the Disabled Veterans of America.

He enjoyed fishing, going to the casinos and his greatest joy was spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, the former Beverly Davis Frengel, who he married on Dec. 3, 1988; one daughter, Kelly Baffone, and her husband Richard DeSantis of Pittsburgh; two stepdaughters, Karen Johngrass and her husband, Paul, and Lori J. Geramita and her husband, James, of New Castle; one son, Robert E. Brophy Jr. of Smyrna, Del.; two stepsons, Joseph Frengel and his wife, Ablin, and William Frengel and his wife, Melissa, both of New Castle; one brother, Barry Palladino and his wife, Deborah, of New Castle; and nine grandchildren, Megan, Ashley and Paul Johngrass; Courtney and Annalisa Frengel; Ryan Baffone, and Joseph, James and Michael Geramita.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Patricia Sayers, and a son, Barry Brophy.

Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, 111 W. Falls St.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary Church, conducted by the Rev. James Downs.