Richard Brodie Obituary

Richard Stephen Brodie, Jr., "Buzzy", 74 of Southington passed away peacefully on Saturday April 2, 2022 with his wife, his two daughters and all his siblings by his side. Buzzy was born in Framingham, Massachusetts on August 28, 1947 and was the son of the late Richard S. Brodie, Sr. and Cecilia Cotter Brodie. He was raised in Framingham and later moved to Connecticut where he graduated from East Hartford High School and then, The Hartford Institute of Accounting. He started his long career in real estate with Hurwit and Simons and would then open his own real estate company; Brodie Real Estate. He later entered the corporate world handling the global real estate for Sweden based technology leader, Asea Brown Boveri (ABB). He had a reputation for being a fierce negotiator. After he retired, Buzz went back to work with his brother and nephew building homes with Brodie Builders and eventually started Brodie Construction where he focused on remodeling projects. As much as he loved keeping busy with work, he was a family man. He was only 19 years old and the oldest of five children when his own dad passed away. He helped his mother to raise his younger siblings which was the foundation for a large and strong family unit. Throughout his life and right up until his last days he instilled in all his family that it meant something to be a Brodie. He led by example and so this unspoken responsibility is something that we all have for each other. We all own it; and, we wouldn't have it any other way. He loved that. Buzzy was at his best when he was on his boat, the "Buzsea" in Brewers Yacht Yard in Mystic, Connecticut...where he spent over 25 summers with his family and many special friends there. His second boat, "For Pete's Sake", named after his best friend who passed away, would first dock at Safe Harbor Cowesett in Narragansett Bay, where he made more cherished friendships before moving back to Mystic. He loved deep-sea fishing or just fishing off the dock with his grandchildren. He would travel anywhere to see his grandkids play football, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, motocross and cheer. He was an amazing grandfather. Buzzy is survived by his wife of 54 years: Carmela (Mangiafico) Brodie of Southington; two daughters: Rose Brodie Paul and Scott Paul of Davidson NC, Carla Brodie Keim and Justin Keim of Southington; siblings: Ruth Lebel and late husband, Del Lebel of South Carolina, Peter Brodie and wife, Sue of Pomfret, Robin Brodie Millette and husband, Paul of Ellington, and Jean Brodie Cyr and husband, Wayne of Ashford; five grandchildren: Devan Tillotson, US Army MP stationed Fort Polk, LA, Nolan Tillotson, US Army Cavalry Scout stationed Vilsek, Germany, Kay Gulley, Department of Defense stationed Fort Sill, OK, Taylor and Paige Paul of Davidson, NC; three great-grandchildren: Ayden, Alayah and Jordynn; mother-in-law, Francesca Mangiafico of Old Saybrook and father-in-law, the late Sebastian Mangiafico; sister-in-law: Lucy Young of Old Saybrook; two uncles: Kenneth Brodie of Waynesville, NC, and William Cotter of Cape Cod, MA; and 31 nieces and nephews...he was proud of them all! A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11 AM at Saint Anthony Roman Catholic Church, 111 School St., Bristol. Burial will be private. Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Avenue, Bristol, Friday April 8, 2022 between 4 and 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Figueroa Children Scholarship Fund, c/o TD Bank, 121 Main Street, Southington CT 06489, to benefit the children of his very special nurse, Jessica Figueroa, who took such special care of our Dad. Please visit Buzzy's memorial web-site at www.FunkFuneralHome.com