Hundreds bid farewell to Marine
Marine Corps Maj. James Brophy was recalled at his memorial service Friday as a loving family man and friend who had a memorable laugh and smile and the ability to bring out the best in others.
Brophy, 36, of Staatsburg, was one of five Marines killed when their refueling plane collided with a U.S. fighter jet on Dec. 6 off Japan’s southern coast and plunged into the sea. One of the two people aboard the fighter jet also died.
More than 400 people attended Friday’s service at the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center (formerly the Mid-Hudson Civic Center) in Poughkeepsie. The stage behind Brophy’s casket was decorated with the his flight helmet and vest, in addition to a box with his uniform and awards.
Lt. Col. Mitchell T. Maury, Brophy’s commanding officer, said in a eulogy that Brophy “was a husband, a father, a son, a brother and a friend” who exhibited professionalism and the skills of a leader.
Maury lamented receiving the news of Brophy’s death about 2:15 a.m. Dec. 6 and said he “kept waiting to hear ‘exercise, exercise, exercise’ in hopes that it was only a drill, but it was not.”
“The shock still resonates with me today,” he said.
Another speaker Friday, Maj. Mark Bock, said through tears that he cherished the friendship that had grown between him and Brophy.
“James was a phenomenal Marine and a phenomenal father,” Bock said.
Peter Matranga, a friend of Brophy’s since childhood, said Brophy always challenged those around him to do better.
Matranga also spoke of youthful milestones that he and Brophy shared, including learning how to play catch, fish and play golf.
“James was the only one that caught a fish at my fifth-grade birthday party —something I still hold against him,” Matranga quipped, eliciting brief laughter from the otherwise somber crowd.
After the service, the hearse carrying Brophy’s casket was escorted to the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery by motorcycles from the Poughkeepsie Police Department, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Westchester County Police, Yonkers Police Department and the NYPD.
Brophy is survived by his wife, Erica, 4-year-old son Jack and 1-year-old daughter Avery.
Brophy’s family released a statement that described him as “a loving husband who provided endless energy to his children” and often was seen “pulling them in a wagon around the neighborhood and playing soccer until sundown.”
“When home, his daughter was always in his arms,” the statement continued. “His family will remember him as adventurous, humble, caring and always adorned with a contagious smile.”
Brophy also is survived by his parents, Mike (a retired Poughkeepsie Fire Department captain) and Virginia; and his sister, Lauren.
Brophy was a graduate of Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park.
He served in the Marine Corps for 12 years.
The other four Marines who died when the KC-130 Hercules refueling aircraft crashed were Lt. Col. Kevin R. Herrmann, 38, of New Bern, N.C.; Staff Sgt. Maximo A. Flores, 27, of Surprise,
Ariz.; Cpl. Daniel E. Baker, 21, of Tremont, Ill.; and Cpl. William C. Ross, 21, of Hendersonville, Tenn.
The five were based at Iwakuni air station near Hiroshima, Japan, as part of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152.
Capt. Jahmar Resilard, 28, of Miramar, Fla., died in the F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet that collided with the Hercules.