1927 - 2021
WWII No Vistitation Date Scheduled
No Funeral Date Scheduled
Robert L. (Bob) Bradford, Sr., age 93, of Chelmsford, MA, died peacefully in his sleep at home on February 12. Born in Wapakoneta, OH, in 1927, he lived through the Great Depression and served proudly in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Bradford and his first wife Betty spent forty years in Billerica, MA, where they raised a large family while he worked at and eventually retired from Raytheon. Betty’s death after fifty-two years of marriage devastated him, but after several years he met and married Theresa (Benoit) Bradford, his wife for the last fourteen years. He will be missed mightily and remembered lovingly by his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. His family would like to thank the home health aides that helped care for him this past year with grace and genuine concern.
Smart, funny, modest, and kind, with a quiet strength and dignity, Bob enjoyed simple pleasures. He delighted in telling jokes (according to family lore he perfected, and perhaps invented, the “Dad joke”), summering in Scituate, golfing (into his eighties), watching the Red Sox, working in the garden, fixing cars, playing cards with his kids and grandkids, taking the occasional casino trip (where he played a mean game of blackjack), getting the best bargains at the grocery store (and then telling everyone his successful strategy), and, most of all, spending time with and helping his family and friends, for whom he would do anything. A devout Catholic, Bob was a regular mass attendee at St. Andrew’s in Billerica. His family was extensive: His long and loving marriage to the late Elizabeth (O’Hare) Bradford, blessed him with their ten children, twenty-two grandchildren, and seven (and counting) great grandchildren.
He leaves behind his wife Theresa (Benoit) Bradford, of Chelmsford; his children and their spouses, Joseph A. and Carol (Goldthwait) Bradford of Plymouth, Mary Anne (Bradford) and Mike McCarthy of Oley, PA, David R. and Jean (Crawford) Bradford of Grafton, John D. Bradford of Wakefield, Richard W. and Kim (Cartier) Bradford of Seabrook, NH, Christopher O. and Martha (McCray) Bradford of Tolland, Conn., Robert L. (Jr.) and Lynn (Pendergast) Bradford of Littleton, Jeffrey P. Bradford and Georgia Kritselis of Wilmington, Paul J. and Carla (Mond) Bradford of Bedford, and Margaret L. Bradford and her fiance Paul Roche of Billerica; his daughter-in-law Alice (Howard) Bradford of Shrewsbury; and his brother William Bradford of Fort Lauderdale, FL. In addition to his first wife Elizabeth, he was pre-deceased by his brother Richard Bradford of IN and his sister Rosemary (Bradford) Best of OH.
Funeral arrangements are not finalized at this time. A funeral mass and celebration of life service will be held at some point in late summer or during the fall. Please check back on the Dolan Funeral Home (Chelmsford, MA) website this summer for updated information. In lieu of flowers, we encourage a donation to Prevent Blindness of Chicago, IL, or another vision preservation research charity. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME
Mark Bradford
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My dad (Richard Bradford) used to talk about his brothers and Rose all the time. Life, it seemed, was always too busy for us to get to know our “cousins out east” but some of my mom’s best times were her visits to Scituate after all us kids were out of the house. Some of the funniest stories we recall were Bob’s tendency to spend money on bargains, even if it was stuff he did not need. When Bob came to visit Indiana, it was like he was visiting from next door. He was truly a remarkable man and I know my dad and he and Rose are laughing things up in the afterlife. Be thankful for a life well lived. Please accept our condolences…Mark, Wendy, Glen (age 34), Julie (30) and Maddie (26).Bradford
Sheri Garvey
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To the best second dad a person could ask for, You will forever be missed. I still to this day laugh when I think of Mrs Butterworth and Uncle Ben. Mr. Bradford from all the conversations we’ve had I know for sure all your prayers were answered and you will rest in peace. I love you always
Sheri
Lorraine Butler
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He is now resting in peace may god be with you and your family you are all in my prays always remember the good times you had with him
Joe O'Hare
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With sincere sympathy to all of the Bradford Family on the news of Bob’s passing…a life well-lived, well-loved, generous, humorous, and warmly remembered. God bless.
Joe
Jim Bradford
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Since I was the oldest in our family, I got to know some of you while you still lived in OHIO. One specific event I remember involved Dad and Uncle Bob loading all of us (not sure how many, the Bests may have been included) in a station wagon and going out to your house which seemed to be in the country or on a farm. It was probably August and we had a great time all playing together. I was lucky enough to play golf with Uncle Bob several times after he and Aunt Betty were in Florida. He was a good man and if that can be said after a long life that is a tribute. We all hold onto memories.
Our condolences,
Jim and Jacquie Bradford
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Brenda Ferro
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I’m so sorry to all his Children, Family and Friends. I only met him a few times but he was so nice and kind. He was very friendly. God Bless him and the Wonderful memories you all share of him. May those great memories, help you get through your grief and put a warm smile on your face in his memory. May peace be with you all.