Father of resident, veteran, avid sports fan
Arnold Bradley. (Courtesy photo)
Patrick Bradley, known lovingly as Gramps, died peacefully on Feb. 16, 2022, surrounded by his family.
Arnold was born on March 7, 1932, in New London, Connecticut, to Arnold and Gladys Bradley. He attended Chapman Technical High School, where he met his wife and love of his life, Barbara. Together, they attended their senior prom and were married on Sept. 26, 1953, then built a life and family together.
After graduation, Arnold began what would be a long and fulfilling career at Electric Boat. As a member of the United States Air Force Reserve from 1950 to 1953, he was called away to service during the Korean War and was stationed in Iceland with the 932nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron from 1952 to 1953. Upon leaving the Air Force, he returned to Electric Boat where he entered the draftsman apprentice program. Through this, he became a draftsman, and then was promoted to manager. He proudly retired from Electric Boat in 1991 after 41 years and stayed in touch with his colleagues until his death.
In his free time, Arnold was the director of Surfers Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as the manager of the Lumberjack Little League North. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and taking their annual trip to Fort Myers to watch the Red Sox at spring training. He was also an avid fan of women’s basketball, a proud season ticket holder for the Connecticut Sun, and a fierce supporter of the UConn women’s basketball team. He loved music as well, listening to everything from Clair de Lune to Yanni and Barbara Streisand.
Arnold was predeceased by his son, Daniel Patrick Bradley, and sister, Gladys Dorothy Keeney. He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Barbara (Finley) Bradley of Waterford, Connecticut; son, Dennis Bradley and his wife Debbie Kaegebein of Harvard; daughter-in-law, Paula Bradley of Grand Isle, Vermont; grandson, Evan Bradley and his wife Kim (Barber) Bradley of Salem, Connecticut; grandson, Patrick Bradley and his husband Zhang Yun of Woburn; granddaughter, Collyn Bradley of Boston; and granddaughter, Corey Bradley and her husband Michael Murn of New York, New York. Arnold will also be missed by his two great-grandchildren, Samantha Grace and Rachel Jane.
Family and friends gathered Feb. 19 for the burial at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Systemic JIA Foundation (https://www.systemicjia.org) or the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation (https://curesan filippofoundation.org).
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