David Wilson Bradley

David Wilson Bradley of Bloomfield, formerly of West Hartford, died Tuesday, January 13, 2015. Dave lived a very full life to 93 ½, loving family and friends, and active right to the end. Born in New Haven June 12, 1921 of parents John Smith and Bonnie Cross Bradley, he graduated New Haven's Hillhouse High School 1939 and New Haven College 1948. A B-17 pilot, 1st LT, in WWII, flying had been a boyhood dream that Dave was able to realize because of the war. He enjoyed a 40-year career with SNET (AT&T) in New Haven starting in 1939, in Personnel and Medical departments. Dave was moved to Hartford by SNET in 1949, and in 1952 he married Betty Jean "Betts" Purrington. He was a dedicated, active contributor in local community affairs, especially with the YMCA, including positions such as Secretary/Assistant Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Hartford YMCA for 40 years. Dave was also delegate from the Hartford YMCA to the Centennial Conference of World YMCAs in Paris in 1955 as well as Representative from Hartford to both the YMCA National Council and the New England Area Council of YMCAs. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Hartford Urban League, on the Board of Directors of the Hartford Family Service Society, the Greater Hartford Council on Alcoholism, the Hartford Civitan Club, and Fernleigh Lawn Bowling Club. Dave was active in multiple roles in the Universalist Church of West Hartford for over 50 years. In retirement he was active in the Old Guard of West Hartford and for many years chaired its Meals on Wheels program and received the annual "Rose of the VNA" award related to it. He was also a 100-pint Red Cross blood donor. Betts and Dave enjoyed travel and visiting and hosting people from other countries via Friendship Force. Known as the "candle maker" and "the fixer", Dave enjoyed woodworking, tennis, lawn bowling, growing roses, making bread, and most kinds of music, especially Barbershop and Dixieland. Dave and Betts celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their whole family in their most favorite place, Murren, Switzerland in 2002, and then later their 60th and 62nd anniversary. A dedicated husband and father, leaves his wife and their two sons, David Wilson Bradley, Jr. of Perkiomenville, PA, his wife Lynda and their daughters, Katie and Annie, and Robert Purrington Bradley of North Canton, CT, his wife Maria, their daughter Francesca and their son, Samuel David Purrington Bradley. Dave's generous, humorous and gregarious spirit will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 11am at the Universalist Church, 433 Fern Street, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to YMCA of Greater Hartford, 241 Trumbull Street #1, Hartford, CT 06103 (www.ghymca.org) or Universalist Church, 433 Fern Street, West Hartford, CT 06107 Attn: Patricia Lee/D. Bradley Commemorative Fund. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.