SSAFE has just lost one of its most enthusiastic, productive and successful leaders.
Joel Brody passed away Saturday morning, July 11, at Collington in Mitchellville, MD.
An obituary sent to SSAFE by his family is listed below.
Joel was SSAFE Board Chair from August 2024 to June 2026, when he stepped down due to illness.
The Board Resolution accepting his resignation is as follows:
SENIOR STEWARDS ACTING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
RESOLUTION
The Board of Directors of Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment accepts, with deep regret, the resignation of Joel Brody as Chair of the Board.
Joel’s path to leadership at SSAFE was unusual. After attending a Board retreat in 2023, he quickly made an impression with his can-do attitude, and generosity of spirit. When SSAFE needed a Chair in 2024, Joel stepped forward and embraced the role with enthusiasm and dedication.
Throughout his service, Joel demonstrated integrity, good judgment, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to SSAFE’s success. He is a trusted colleague and valued friend whose optimism and helpfulness inspire those around him.
The Board of Directors expresses sincere gratitude for Joel’s extraordinary service and the lasting contributions he has made to SSAFE. We pledge our full efforts to continue his tradition of growing and improving the organization he served so faithfully.
Adopted unanimously by the Board of Directors on June 11, 2026.
OBITUARY
Joel Frederick Brody, 83, of the Collington community in Maryland, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.He was born on August 28, 1942, at Beth El Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, to George and Jeanette Brody. On February 19, 1966, he married his beloved wife, Eileen, with whom he shared a devoted partnership for nearly 50 years prior to her passing.
Joel grew up in Brooklyn, developing a strong work ethic from time in his father’s luncheonette. He graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School and went on to earn both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the City College of New York (CCNY), where he also ran track. After college, he built a distinguished career in the computer industry, holding leadership roles in hardware and software development, managing large-scale projects, leading marketing teams, and ultimately serving as a Vice President and company officer. He also founded his own consulting firm, providing technical expertise to financial institutions.
Throughout his life, Joel was deeply committed to family, faith, and community. When his children were young, he served as president of the synagogues his family attended, leading with conviction and dedication. In his retirement years, he found new purpose in environmental stewardship. He became actively involved with Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment (SSAFE), serving on multiple committees and ultimately as Chair of its Board of Directors. He also led sustainability efforts in his community, including the creation of a widely praised Sustainability Plan.
Joel had an unstoppable work ethic, a wonderful dry sense of humor, and an enormous capacity for love. He was a devoted caregiver to his wife, thoughtfully designing trips and experiences so they could continue exploring the world together, and he made her dream come true by building their dream home in Lake Tahoe. As a cherished Zayde, he stayed closely connected to his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives, always meeting them with warmth and genuine interest.
Joel is survived by his sons, Randall Brody and Daniel Brody; his daughter, Cheryl Ellis; daughter-in-law, Connie Brody; sons-in-law, Warren Sharon and Mark Ellis; and his beloved grandchildren (Kara, Marisa, Joshua, Melissa, Makayla, Rachel, Asher, Gershon, and Naftali) and great-grandchildren (Caden, Hunter, Jayla, Jaxson, Easton, Sheridan, and last but not least his favorite granddog Bentley).
A graveside service will be held at King David Memorial Cemetery (2697 E El Dorado, Las Vegas, NV 89120) on July 14, 2026, at 12:30 pm Pacific Time. Services will also be webcast live at King David Webcasting.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Palm Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Temple Bat Yam in South Lake Tahoe (Tribute Donation) and/or Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment (SSAFE – Ways to Give – Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment), in support of the causes he cared so deeply about.
