Edward Gerard Bradley, Jr.'s Obituary
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED BY 3 PM, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 TO PARSELL FUNERAL HOMES, LEWES, DE.
Edward Gerard Bradley, Jr., age 86 of Rehoboth Beach, DE, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 6, 2019. Ed was born on October 1, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA, the third child of Edward and Annie Bradley. His birth coincided with game 3 of the 1932 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. As his father cheered Babe Ruth’s legendary home run, Ed was born a Yankees fan.
Ed attended Northeast High School in Philadelphia, PA. He aspired to be an English teacher and semi-pro athlete. He left school early to work at the Philadelphia Herald Newspaper and assist his parents. He met Patricia O’Hara while working at the Philadelphia Art Museum and they married on September 3, 1960. They raised five children in the Olney neighborhood of North Philadelphia and attended St. Helena's Roman Catholic Church. Ed worked for the City of Philadelphia as the Head of Inspection for Voter Registration. After retiring from the City, Ed worked at Wills Eye Hospital.
In September 1999, the Bradleys moved to Rehoboth Beach. Ed enjoyed attending Mass at St. Edmond's Catholic Church, strolling the boardwalk, eating breakfast with friends, telling jokes, going to restaurants with his children, and bringing his grandchildren to Funland. Ed’s other hobbies included reading the newspaper and magazines, analyzing sports statistics, and watching football, baseball, and soccer games on TV. He traveled to the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Boston, New York City, and Yankee Stadium and visited family in Florida, Michigan, Scotland, and Ireland.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Bradley was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Bradley; his son, Edward Bradley III; and his brother, Peter Bradley. He is survived by his children: Patricia Bradley of Rehoboth Beach, DE, David Bradley and his wife, Martie of Grand Rapids, MI, Michaele Bradley of Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Nanette Bradley and her husband Wayne Davis, Sr. of Rehoboth Beach, DE; his grandchildren: James McCloskey, Sean McCloskey and his wife Magali, Kyle McCloskey, Wayne Davis, Jr., Sara Davis, Colin Bradley, Aidan Bradley, and Keegan Bradley; his great granddaughter, Hailey Tate; his sisters: Anna Rynkiewicz of Cape May, NJ and Mary Bradley of Wilmington, DE; and his brother, Hugh and his wife Patricia of Philadelphia, PA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2019, at 2:00 PM at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE, where friends may call beginning at 1:00 PM. Rev. William T. Cocco will officiate. Interment will be private at Epworth Cemetery in Rehoboth Beach.
Due to limited parking in downtown Rehoboth, a shuttle service will be provided to St. Edmond Church from the K-Mart parking lot on Rt 1 Coastal Highway. Please arrive at 12:15 pm for 12:30 departure.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware, PO Box 747, Middletown, DE 19709; National Alliance of Mental Illness of Delaware, 2400 West 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805; or Vitas Hospice, 30265 Commerce Drive, Suite 202, Millsboro, DE 19960.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Bay Health Sussex Campus and VITAS Hospice.
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