In Memory of

Henry

M.

"Hank"

Bradley

Obituary for Henry M. "Hank" Bradley

OXFORD, CT: Longtime Oxford resident Henry “Hank” Bradley III, a career electrical engineer, died May 25, 2017 at the age of 92. He lived for over 55 years in the same historic home in Oxford, where he raised his family with his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Gow Bradley (deceased) to whom he was married for 68 years. He passed peacefully in his sleep at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. Hank was the third of six siblings and born in Derby, Connecticut in January 1925 to parents Louis & Katherine Bradley. Hank deeply loved sports of all kinds and was an accomplished athlete, playing baseball and football for Derby High School. He was also fascinated by technology, in particular electronics, and devoted his life to working with various emerging electric developments, ultimately being awarded 27 United States patents over the course of his career. His electrical engineering education at the University of Connecticut was abruptly interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His electronic prowess earned him an assignment as a “radio man” on the U.S.S. San Jacinto, an aircraft carrier stationed in the Pacific Theatre where he saw combat against Japanese Imperial forces. While stationed in the Pacific, Hank nervously asked his father back in Derby to go to the home of his sweetheart, Betty, and propose marriage on his behalf, an offer she eagerly accepted. Betty and he were married in September 1946 and raised four unusually rambunctious boys at homes in Derby, Milford, Ansonia and finally a more spacious old farm in Oxford. Hank started his electronics career with Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and later moved to Southern New England Telephone Company where he was an outstanding electrical engineer for 27 years. He retired to his Oxford home in 1982. Besides his lifelong interest in electronics, Hank loved playing catch with his young boys, taking the family on vacation to various beach destinations, viewing parades and drum & bugle corps competitions, being an ever hopeful fan of his beloved New York Yankees and New York Giants, eating pizza and BBQ food, and hosting 50 years worth of gigantic cookout picnics at his home for family, friends, church members, and just about anyone else that wanted to come. Hank was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Derby, where he served as a deacon for many years. Hank is survived by his four sons and daughters-in-law Miles & Vicki Bradley of San Marcos, California, Martyn & Johanna Bradley of Norfolk, Virginia, David & Antoinette Bradley of Oxford, Connecticut, and Jeffrey & Ann Bradley of Columbus, Indiana, and grandchildren Joshua, Jordan, Brent, Sarah, Kelly, Samantha, Matthew, Alexandra, Ann Marie and Shannon. He is further survived by his brother Robert Bradley of Oxford and numerous nieces and nephews. Hank was predeceased in death by brothers and sisters Louis Bradley, Jr., Laura Bradley Marvin, Helen Bradley Ayre and Frederick Bradley. Hank had seven great-grandchildren at the time of his death. Interment will be in Mountain Meadows Cemetery, Seymour alongside his loving wife Betty.

Affiliations


American

Connecticut State Flag

United Church of Christ

US Navy