Almont H. Bracy
Almont H. Bracy Jr. died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday January 25, 2022. He was the devoted father of Nicholas Bracy of Winthrop and Kenya Bracy of Lawrence and the loving grandfather of Autumn, Leila and Kingston Bracy.
“Bracy”, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on October 12, 1923, the son of Almont and Mabel (Cottman) Bracy. Raised in Cambridge and Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, he spent most of his life collecting and selling used furniture, antiques, art and junk. He was most proud of the “junk” he picked up to sell at his shop while “scrounging” with his best friend Gerry Cooper. If he gave you a fair price and you tried to low-ball him, he would refuse to sell it to you, for any price at all, as a matter of principle. After staying at home for several years to raise his young son, he began a second career as a custodian at the Eliot & Pickett House on Beacon hill where his official title was Minister of Hospitality. Known in the Fenway as the Mayor of Kilmarnock Street, his shop was THE place to gather in the neighborhood, especially on warm summer evenings. You could hear Miles and smell patchouli long before you heard the jingle of his keys, saw the flash of his silver bracelets or were greeted by the twinkle in his eye, his beautiful smile and that deep bass voice. A renaissance man, Bracy was a collector, but never a hoarder; his rule was you had to let go of something you already had before you could bring in something new. He especially loved and was somewhat of an expert on African art, antique rugs and red wine. He could hear 30 seconds (or less) of any jazz record from any decade and could not only tell you its name, but who played which instrument.
In addition to his children and grandchildren, he leaves his beloved girls that he helped raise who called him “Daddy Al”: Jackie, Sharon and Cynthia (the baby!), his life partner and former wife Terri Powell Bracy, his daughter-in-law Samantha Murray and a large extended family of nephews, nieces (great and grand), and too many good friends to name for fear of leaving someone out.
He was predeceased by his parents Almont and Mabel, his siblings, Stella, Gladys and Billy, his son Richard and many good friends.
The Bracy family would like to thank the nurses and aides at Katzman Family Center for Living for the exceptional care he received during these last few years of his life.
A celebration of life will be held in a Fenway Garden during the summer of 2022.
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Dear Terri, Nick and family,
So sorry to hear this news. Yet, you were so fortunate to have Bracy for these many long and happy years. Heaven is blessed with a new Saint. God bless you all.
With sincerest sympathy.
A belove friend and Going back into the 1960’s. Always the days and plenty of good times to be remembered .
A Gentleman,
May he rest in peace , and may his family and those of us that had time with him remember him as a good man.
God Bless
My uncle Al was a renaissance man of the people . Always smooth smiling friendly one of the few people in my life who i looked up to and tried to emulate. God is good and gave him the gift of longevity. My sorrow is tempered by the memories i will keep in my heart of him and his wonderful spirit . See you again uncle.
We will always remember the holidays that Bracy, Terri and Nick shared with us. My dad, loved Bracy’s company as they were part of the same generation. They would commensurate on their love of jazz and discuss where in Boston had the best jazz venues. He had a smile that would knock your socks off! Rest in eternal peace, my dear Bracy and send our love to my dad!
The absolute wisest, gentle, kind hearted, witty, and strongest man I’ve come to ever know. You were my world. No man will ever have my heart the way you do. I carry our last name with the utmost pride. Thank you for making me the woman I am today. My best friend. My king. The love of my life. I love you Daddy ❤️.
Bracy was such a gentle, kind and soulful person. Just a genuine and cool guy. My heartfelt condolences to Terri, Nick and the Bracy family. Thinking of you all and wishing Bracy all the best on his journey.
So sorry Terri. Thinking of you and your family!
Dear Terri, may all of your precious memories help you and your family thru this sad time. Deepest condolences. Hugs and prayers, Donna
Kenya and Nick: your Dad sounds like an amazing man who touched many. Karen and I are thinking about you and your family. Our deepest condolences.
Nick, wishing you and your family peace and solace as you celebrate your dear father’s life.
Dear Nick and family – You were blessed to have such a wonderful dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Brace thank you for our Daughter,Kenya the most precious gift of my life. You will be deeply missed. May you find comfort with Richard, and the rest of the family.
Love you always Marcie
Prayers and love for the family he was a great guy I have many fond memories vacationing up north with Marcy and my niece Kenya he will be sadly missed
My sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy. Wishing your family peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow.
My mother(Marie Coombs) and Almont (we called him “Uncle Buster”) were first cousins. He was such a wonderful spirit, selfless full of positivity and kindness. Gone but never forgotten.
My parents were good friends with his father, Al as we knew him! would love to hear from the family! My father was John Barnes of Mansfield, we lived on East street across from the Flint farm in the 40s and very early 50s
My parents always spoke so lovingly about Al!!