Hugh Patrick Brolly, Jr.

Hugh Patrick Brolly, Jr. died June 25, 2025 after three years of battling MDS, a blood cancer. Beloved son of the late Hugh Patrick and Mary Jane (Nee Hegarty) Brolly, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce E. Morrison and siblings Michael Brolly (Lynne) and Rosemary Carney (late Joseph). He was predeceased by his brother Henry Brolly, Sr.

Pat was born in Paterson, NJ (while his Dad was in the Army there) but spent the rest of his youth in the Good Shepherd Parish of Southwest Philadelphia. He has lifelong friends from the neighborhood. He was not an achiever at school yet retained every piece of information that came his way. He was an excellent storyteller, with lots of stories to tell. He was skilled at Jeopardy answers, crossword puzzles, cryptograms and could always tell you the date of any event of significance, personal or historical.

Pat was an adventurous person, always ready to travel and try new recreational opportunities. During his Army service in post war Korea, he learned to read and speak Korean, and he travelled around on the local transportation system – which included trolley cars that had originally seen service in Philadelphia. Stories of backpacking across Europe were numerous – including the time he got off the train to explore a picturesque village in Switzerland. When he returned to the station, he discovered the only trains available to continue his trip were local trains. His expected two hour train trip turned into more than six hours.

He made friends wherever he went – joining folks from Canada when he arrived on a solo visit to Jamaica on a whim, with no prior reservations. The authorities wouldn’t let him leave the airport until he had a confirmed room reservation! He has maintained close friendships with a group of folks he met through Dynamic Diversions, a social group which sponsored numerous outings in the 70’s and 80’s. For years these friends shared summer and winter vacation rentals and continue to gather monthly. After he met Joyce at age 51, they continued travelling, taking numerous trips and cruises plus skiing, camping and biking.

He will be buried at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. The interment will be private. If you want to honor Pat, please make a donation in his name to your favorite charity. An open house for family and friends will be scheduled in late July. Please contact the family for the open house details.