Members In Memoriam
It is with a heavy heart that the Brady family announces the passing of Frank Brady. After the Navy in 1963, Frank enrolled in the Local 104 apprenticeship program. Six years later, he purchased Joe’s Sheet Metal Works, which eventually became known as Brady Air Conditioning in 1983. Despite a setback due to a fire in 1986, Frank remained undeterred and persevered with the help of his fellow Local 104 and SMACNA members, including Jim Arena of Arena and Sons Sheet Metal, Rich Bertoldi of San Bruno Sheet Metal and Fred Ulrich from Burlingame Heating. These members stepped in and opened the doors to their shops so Frank’s team could continue to fabricate materials and finish jobs that were in progress or in contract. It was one of the things Frank valued most about our association, the way we treat each other as family.
Throughout his career, Frank was dedicated to improving the sheet metal industry and was on the San Francisco Advisory and Board of Directors for SMACNA of San Francisco before it became Bay Area SMACNA. Because of his dedication and love of the industry, many Brady family members joined the union sheet metal workers, including his own son, two grandsons and several extended family members. Even some of the neighborhood kids became union members after having conversations with Frank.
After his retirement in 2002, Frank pursued a new horizon by enrolling in City College to earn his Airplane Mechanic Airframe and Powerplant licenses. In 2008, he and his wife Marcie built a home on a private airstrip in Idaho, and in 2014 he became an avid hot air balloonist. In 2023, he took his final flight with his long-time pilot friend, Stacey Budell. His adventurous spirit and unwavering determination will never be forgotten, and his memory will endure in the hearts of his family, friends and all those who knew him. May he rest in eternal peace.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Valerie Rose Howerton Miller on September 16, 2023. Valerie passed away peacefully at her home in Portola Valley surrounded by her family after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Valerie had been a valued board member of Bay Area SMACNA from 1998-2011, as well as serving as BAS President in 2010. Valerie was the President of Columbia Mechanical Contractors, her family’s business in San Francisco, which was started by her father, Vince, in 1971. During her 40+ years at Columbia, she touched the lives of countless people. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone, and had a way of bringing out the best in people and remaining calm in any situation.
Valerie also had an adventurous spirit and fully enjoyed life. Her smile brightened every room she entered, and her great laugh was infectious to those all around her. She had a passion for life that kept her strong throughout every obstacle she encountered. Valerie’s determination to overcome adversity was a marvel to everyone who knew her. She will be remembered as an elegant warrior who enhanced the lives of all who knew her. For many, her memory is a blessing.