Obituary for Edward Francis Bradley
1939 - 2014
Edward Francis Bradley, son of Fred Bradley and Frances McNamara, died peacefully on March 22, at his home in Spanish Fork. Born May 3, 1939, in Chicago, Ed grew up on the South Side, and in South Bend, where he was an altar boy and aspired to be a priest. He received Engineering degrees from Notre Dame and served his country as Lt. Bradley.
Ed founded EcolSciences; Shopping.com; and QuicKnowledge, Inc. He was Associate Director of the U of Us artificial heart lab, Director of Quality Control for Geneva Steel, and CEO of Cannon Industries.
The young Ed had an Irish temper. When the temper later evaporated, the Irish remained. He was a proud McNamara and a zealous Fighting Irish fan.
Ed converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he became, instead of a Catholic priest, an LDS bishop. As Bishop Bradley of the South Bend Ward, he created jobs for the unemployed, provided his property as the welfare farm, and housed those with no place to go. He described this time of service as the highlight of his life.
Ed married his eternal companion Patricia Thornhill on June 4, 1977, in the Washington, DC temple. He embraced her children and made them his own. Eds love for Patricia was one of the things that defined his life, and she was by his side the moment that life completed.
He was a strict but loving father who was relentless in holding Family Home Evening. Some things he loved sharing with his kids were wrestling, thumb wars, Famous Amos and Handy Andy stories, rootbeer floats, his gentle teasing wit, and McNamaras Band. His kids will recognize his trademark whistle even on resurrection day.
Ed kept an eternal perspective. He endured Parkinsons for 15 years, without complaint. He was an ideal priesthood holder and strove to be like Christ. The words he wrote in the front of his scriptures are a fitting memorial: Faithful, obedient, diligent.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his four siblings; and his youngest son, Charles David McNamara Bradley. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia; five children from his first marriage to Beverly Miller: Elizabeth (Brian) Couch, Bridget (Mike) Feeks, Sarah (Joseph) Fink, Edward, Jr. (Heidi), and Margaret Woodward; as well as five children by Patricia: Debbie (J.D.) Fagan, Ken (Sharon), Don (Michaelann), Jen, and Matt; as well as 38 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held today from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E 200 S, Springville. A funeral will be held Monday, March 31 at 11:00 AM (preceded by a viewing, 10:00-10:45 AM) in the chapel at 1600 N Main, Mapleton. Interment in Provo City Cemetery.
