Bradley, Charles A. Age 77, passed away July 24, 2013. Preceded in death by wife, LaVonne; parents, Vincent and Mabel; brothers, Byron and Merlyn.∼Charles A. Bradley of Andover MN, Age 77, passed away July 24, 2013. Preceded in death by wife, LaVonne; parents, Vincent and Mabel; brothers, Byron and Merlyn. Survived and will be missed by his son, Charles; daughter, Peggy (David) Anderson; grandchildren, Bethany (Jeff), Emily (Phill), Daniel (Chelsea), Eric and Rachael; great-grandson, Owen; brother, Wilbert; many nieces, nephews and friends. Longtime member of Union Local 49. Private interment Oak View Cemetery.
Eulogy written & read by his daughter, Peggy Anderson at his funeral:
Anyone who knows Dad, knows he has a sweet tooth. Mom loved to bake treats for him. After Mom died it was my duty to step up to the plate to try and fill this void.
I soon found out that was quite a task for one person...LOL thankfully Bethany, Dorothy, Paula, Maggie and countless others kept him stocked up with quite a variety of treats.
Dinners were another story. Chuck was instrumental in showing Dad how to use a George Forman grill. Quite often Chuck would bring over dinner for the two of them. A roast that was cooking in a crockpot all day or his favorite a walleye dinner and Dad always volunteered to make the potatoes...lol
I'd like to share some fond memories I have growing up in the Bradley household.
When I was quite young I recall being sick with something that kept me in bed for a few days. One evening when dad came home from his construction job he came into my bedroom still in his work clothes and handed me a stuffed animal and a Bobby Sherman record and a "me and Bobby McGee record" even though I was quite young I knew this was something out of the ordinary for him. I like to think that is when my love for music began. After all it was "Bobby Sherman!"
Dads favorite tv shows were HeeHaw, Beverly Hillbillies, Laugh-In and in the last several years he looked forward to watching a Polka show around lunchtime. Just a couple of weeks ago while visiting Dad, he turn on this show. There was a polka couple dressed in these crazy wide vertical striped pants, complete with suspenders. We laughed about that most the afternoon and I even offered to make him a pair since he already had the suspenders.
Dad was always more than willing to help others, especially with fixing vehicles. One story that comes to mind is when we lived in Brooklyn Center. Chuck and I were in the age range of 8-11 years old or so. One winter evening Mom was out and about so it was just the three of us. A young man came over and asked if Dad could help him with his stalled car. Without a second thought he was helping and offered the young woman to stay in the house to keep warm. While all this was going on, this woman proceeds to Chuck and I ..what seemed like her life story, including were they lived. Soon Dad had his car running and they left. It wasn't long after a neighbor from across the street asked if we saw anything suspicious. They just arrived back home and realized their house was broken into. It's true what they say about dumb criminals..lol and of course Dads help with their "get away" car.
I'll miss many things about Dad. His laugh, his willing to help if I needed absolutely anything. I'll miss his incredible talent and his sharp engineering mind-set. The soft side of dad, especially when Mom died, he loved her so much and would easily tear up when we'd reminisce.
His love of kittens, which call his garage "home" complete with expensive cat food, water and milk. They kept him company and offered many amusing moments.
BTW there's 4 " a-dor-able " kittens who will need a "forever" home in a few weeks. Let me know if you're interested!
Thank you to all of you who took time out of their day to call, visit and write to Dad plus his wonderful neighbors. He enjoyed every visit.
Rest in peace, dad. I love you.
Eulogy written by his son, Chuck Bradley and read by the Pastor at dad's funeral:
My Dad was a man of many talents, from playing the guitar to having the ability to build something from nothing. What gave him the most pleasure was being out in his shop tinkering with something. I was always fascinated with what he was up to. As long as I can remember I would follow him out to the garage to watch or to help if I could. Anytime I would stop by, if you weren't already in the garage, we would end up there so you could show me what you were working on. When I was young I remember him saying "hold this here and don't move" so he could weld something together. He was always willing to teach me things and always willing to show me how to use his tools. I remember watching Dad weld and then him letting me try with scraps and Dad giving me pointers as it went along.
Dad was a firm believer in work. Play was something you did when the work was done. It took me a while to catch on to that idea but it is one that I now too live by. We had a lot of fun together also. He built us a go-cart when we were young, got us a mini bike and later, got me a motorcycle. He got me my first rifle and shotgun and showed me how to use them. Dad and I went to many antique thrashing shows over the years. He loved looking at old engines and tractors and listening to them run. This is something more he passed along to me.
Later in life, Dad and Mom did quite a bit of traveling in the winter when Dad would have time off from work. They both really enjoyed that.
Dad was an avid reader. He loved books on history and antique equipment. It was fun to have conversations with him along those lines.
Dad was not a man to outwardly show a lot of emotion but it was obvious after the passing of Mom that it took a toll on him. When we would talk about something that Mom would've been interested in, he would hesitate and then say that he missed her. He always said that wasn't the right order of things. He was supposed to go first.
Dad, I feel a great emptiness knowing that you aren't just phone call away or I can't drop over to see what you're up to anymore but you left me with many great memories that will slowly fill the void. I take comfort in the fact that you passed the way you would've wanted to go, quick and without suffering. We never were ones to say "I love you" but it didn't need to be said, it was a given.
Rest in peace Dad, you are again with Mom, your parents and brothers. We too will be together again someday.
Charles, Charlie or Chuck, you were always Dad to me.
A man I admired and looked up to my whole life.
Your Loving Son, Chuck
Eulogy written & read by his daughter, Peggy Anderson at his funeral:
Anyone who knows Dad, knows he has a sweet tooth. Mom loved to bake treats for him. After Mom died it was my duty to step up to the plate to try and fill this void.
I soon found out that was quite a task for one person...LOL thankfully Bethany, Dorothy, Paula, Maggie and countless others kept him stocked up with quite a variety of treats.
Dinners were another story. Chuck was instrumental in showing Dad how to use a George Forman grill. Quite often Chuck would bring over dinner for the two of them. A roast that was cooking in a crockpot all day or his favorite a walleye dinner and Dad always volunteered to make the potatoes...lol
I'd like to share some fond memories I have growing up in the Bradley household.
When I was quite young I recall being sick with something that kept me in bed for a few days. One evening when dad came home from his construction job he came into my bedroom still in his work clothes and handed me a stuffed animal and a Bobby Sherman record and a "me and Bobby McGee record" even though I was quite young I knew this was something out of the ordinary for him. I like to think that is when my love for music began. After all it was "Bobby Sherman!"
Dads favorite tv shows were HeeHaw, Beverly Hillbillies, Laugh-In and in the last several years he looked forward to watching a Polka show around lunchtime. Just a couple of weeks ago while visiting Dad, he turn on this show. There was a polka couple dressed in these crazy wide vertical striped pants, complete with suspenders. We laughed about that most the afternoon and I even offered to make him a pair since he already had the suspenders.
Dad was always more than willing to help others, especially with fixing vehicles. One story that comes to mind is when we lived in Brooklyn Center. Chuck and I were in the age range of 8-11 years old or so. One winter evening Mom was out and about so it was just the three of us. A young man came over and asked if Dad could help him with his stalled car. Without a second thought he was helping and offered the young woman to stay in the house to keep warm. While all this was going on, this woman proceeds to Chuck and I ..what seemed like her life story, including were they lived. Soon Dad had his car running and they left. It wasn't long after a neighbor from across the street asked if we saw anything suspicious. They just arrived back home and realized their house was broken into. It's true what they say about dumb criminals..lol and of course Dads help with their "get away" car.
I'll miss many things about Dad. His laugh, his willing to help if I needed absolutely anything. I'll miss his incredible talent and his sharp engineering mind-set. The soft side of dad, especially when Mom died, he loved her so much and would easily tear up when we'd reminisce.
His love of kittens, which call his garage "home" complete with expensive cat food, water and milk. They kept him company and offered many amusing moments.
BTW there's 4 " a-dor-able " kittens who will need a "forever" home in a few weeks. Let me know if you're interested!
Thank you to all of you who took time out of their day to call, visit and write to Dad plus his wonderful neighbors. He enjoyed every visit.
Rest in peace, dad. I love you.
Eulogy written by his son, Chuck Bradley and read by the Pastor at dad's funeral:
My Dad was a man of many talents, from playing the guitar to having the ability to build something from nothing. What gave him the most pleasure was being out in his shop tinkering with something. I was always fascinated with what he was up to. As long as I can remember I would follow him out to the garage to watch or to help if I could. Anytime I would stop by, if you weren't already in the garage, we would end up there so you could show me what you were working on. When I was young I remember him saying "hold this here and don't move" so he could weld something together. He was always willing to teach me things and always willing to show me how to use his tools. I remember watching Dad weld and then him letting me try with scraps and Dad giving me pointers as it went along.
Dad was a firm believer in work. Play was something you did when the work was done. It took me a while to catch on to that idea but it is one that I now too live by. We had a lot of fun together also. He built us a go-cart when we were young, got us a mini bike and later, got me a motorcycle. He got me my first rifle and shotgun and showed me how to use them. Dad and I went to many antique thrashing shows over the years. He loved looking at old engines and tractors and listening to them run. This is something more he passed along to me.
Later in life, Dad and Mom did quite a bit of traveling in the winter when Dad would have time off from work. They both really enjoyed that.
Dad was an avid reader. He loved books on history and antique equipment. It was fun to have conversations with him along those lines.
Dad was not a man to outwardly show a lot of emotion but it was obvious after the passing of Mom that it took a toll on him. When we would talk about something that Mom would've been interested in, he would hesitate and then say that he missed her. He always said that wasn't the right order of things. He was supposed to go first.
Dad, I feel a great emptiness knowing that you aren't just phone call away or I can't drop over to see what you're up to anymore but you left me with many great memories that will slowly fill the void. I take comfort in the fact that you passed the way you would've wanted to go, quick and without suffering. We never were ones to say "I love you" but it didn't need to be said, it was a given.
Rest in peace Dad, you are again with Mom, your parents and brothers. We too will be together again someday.
Charles, Charlie or Chuck, you were always Dad to me.
A man I admired and looked up to my whole life.
Your Loving Son, Chuck
Bradley, Charles A. Age 77, passed away July 24, 2013. Preceded in death by wife, LaVonne; parents, Vincent and Mabel; brothers, Byron and Merlyn.∼Charles A. Bradley of Andover MN, Age 77, passed away July 24, 2013. Preceded in death by wife, LaVonne; parents, Vincent and Mabel; brothers, Byron and Merlyn. Survived and will be missed by his son, Charles; daughter, Peggy (David) Anderson; grandchildren, Bethany (Jeff), Emily (Phill), Daniel (Chelsea), Eric and Rachael; great-grandson, Owen; brother, Wilbert; many nieces, nephews and friends. Longtime member of Union Local 49. Private interment Oak View Cemetery.
Eulogy written & read by his daughter, Peggy Anderson at his funeral:
Anyone who knows Dad, knows he has a sweet tooth. Mom loved to bake treats for him. After Mom died it was my duty to step up to the plate to try and fill this void.
I soon found out that was quite a task for one person...LOL thankfully Bethany, Dorothy, Paula, Maggie and countless others kept him stocked up with quite a variety of treats.
Dinners were another story. Chuck was instrumental in showing Dad how to use a George Forman grill. Quite often Chuck would bring over dinner for the two of them. A roast that was cooking in a crockpot all day or his favorite a walleye dinner and Dad always volunteered to make the potatoes...lol
I'd like to share some fond memories I have growing up in the Bradley household.
When I was quite young I recall being sick with something that kept me in bed for a few days. One evening when dad came home from his construction job he came into my bedroom still in his work clothes and handed me a stuffed animal and a Bobby Sherman record and a "me and Bobby McGee record" even though I was quite young I knew this was something out of the ordinary for him. I like to think that is when my love for music began. After all it was "Bobby Sherman!"
Dads favorite tv shows were HeeHaw, Beverly Hillbillies, Laugh-In and in the last several years he looked forward to watching a Polka show around lunchtime. Just a couple of weeks ago while visiting Dad, he turn on this show. There was a polka couple dressed in these crazy wide vertical striped pants, complete with suspenders. We laughed about that most the afternoon and I even offered to make him a pair since he already had the suspenders.
Dad was always more than willing to help others, especially with fixing vehicles. One story that comes to mind is when we lived in Brooklyn Center. Chuck and I were in the age range of 8-11 years old or so. One winter evening Mom was out and about so it was just the three of us. A young man came over and asked if Dad could help him with his stalled car. Without a second thought he was helping and offered the young woman to stay in the house to keep warm. While all this was going on, this woman proceeds to Chuck and I ..what seemed like her life story, including were they lived. Soon Dad had his car running and they left. It wasn't long after a neighbor from across the street asked if we saw anything suspicious. They just arrived back home and realized their house was broken into. It's true what they say about dumb criminals..lol and of course Dads help with their "get away" car.
I'll miss many things about Dad. His laugh, his willing to help if I needed absolutely anything. I'll miss his incredible talent and his sharp engineering mind-set. The soft side of dad, especially when Mom died, he loved her so much and would easily tear up when we'd reminisce.
His love of kittens, which call his garage "home" complete with expensive cat food, water and milk. They kept him company and offered many amusing moments.
BTW there's 4 " a-dor-able " kittens who will need a "forever" home in a few weeks. Let me know if you're interested!
Thank you to all of you who took time out of their day to call, visit and write to Dad plus his wonderful neighbors. He enjoyed every visit.
Rest in peace, dad. I love you.
Eulogy written by his son, Chuck Bradley and read by the Pastor at dad's funeral:
My Dad was a man of many talents, from playing the guitar to having the ability to build something from nothing. What gave him the most pleasure was being out in his shop tinkering with something. I was always fascinated with what he was up to. As long as I can remember I would follow him out to the garage to watch or to help if I could. Anytime I would stop by, if you weren't already in the garage, we would end up there so you could show me what you were working on. When I was young I remember him saying "hold this here and don't move" so he could weld something together. He was always willing to teach me things and always willing to show me how to use his tools. I remember watching Dad weld and then him letting me try with scraps and Dad giving me pointers as it went along.
Dad was a firm believer in work. Play was something you did when the work was done. It took me a while to catch on to that idea but it is one that I now too live by. We had a lot of fun together also. He built us a go-cart when we were young, got us a mini bike and later, got me a motorcycle. He got me my first rifle and shotgun and showed me how to use them. Dad and I went to many antique thrashing shows over the years. He loved looking at old engines and tractors and listening to them run. This is something more he passed along to me.
Later in life, Dad and Mom did quite a bit of traveling in the winter when Dad would have time off from work. They both really enjoyed that.
Dad was an avid reader. He loved books on history and antique equipment. It was fun to have conversations with him along those lines.
Dad was not a man to outwardly show a lot of emotion but it was obvious after the passing of Mom that it took a toll on him. When we would talk about something that Mom would've been interested in, he would hesitate and then say that he missed her. He always said that wasn't the right order of things. He was supposed to go first.
Dad, I feel a great emptiness knowing that you aren't just phone call away or I can't drop over to see what you're up to anymore but you left me with many great memories that will slowly fill the void. I take comfort in the fact that you passed the way you would've wanted to go, quick and without suffering. We never were ones to say "I love you" but it didn't need to be said, it was a given.
Rest in peace Dad, you are again with Mom, your parents and brothers. We too will be together again someday.
Charles, Charlie or Chuck, you were always Dad to me.
A man I admired and looked up to my whole life.
Your Loving Son, Chuck
Eulogy written & read by his daughter, Peggy Anderson at his funeral:
Anyone who knows Dad, knows he has a sweet tooth. Mom loved to bake treats for him. After Mom died it was my duty to step up to the plate to try and fill this void.
I soon found out that was quite a task for one person...LOL thankfully Bethany, Dorothy, Paula, Maggie and countless others kept him stocked up with quite a variety of treats.
Dinners were another story. Chuck was instrumental in showing Dad how to use a George Forman grill. Quite often Chuck would bring over dinner for the two of them. A roast that was cooking in a crockpot all day or his favorite a walleye dinner and Dad always volunteered to make the potatoes...lol
I'd like to share some fond memories I have growing up in the Bradley household.
When I was quite young I recall being sick with something that kept me in bed for a few days. One evening when dad came home from his construction job he came into my bedroom still in his work clothes and handed me a stuffed animal and a Bobby Sherman record and a "me and Bobby McGee record" even though I was quite young I knew this was something out of the ordinary for him. I like to think that is when my love for music began. After all it was "Bobby Sherman!"
Dads favorite tv shows were HeeHaw, Beverly Hillbillies, Laugh-In and in the last several years he looked forward to watching a Polka show around lunchtime. Just a couple of weeks ago while visiting Dad, he turn on this show. There was a polka couple dressed in these crazy wide vertical striped pants, complete with suspenders. We laughed about that most the afternoon and I even offered to make him a pair since he already had the suspenders.
Dad was always more than willing to help others, especially with fixing vehicles. One story that comes to mind is when we lived in Brooklyn Center. Chuck and I were in the age range of 8-11 years old or so. One winter evening Mom was out and about so it was just the three of us. A young man came over and asked if Dad could help him with his stalled car. Without a second thought he was helping and offered the young woman to stay in the house to keep warm. While all this was going on, this woman proceeds to Chuck and I ..what seemed like her life story, including were they lived. Soon Dad had his car running and they left. It wasn't long after a neighbor from across the street asked if we saw anything suspicious. They just arrived back home and realized their house was broken into. It's true what they say about dumb criminals..lol and of course Dads help with their "get away" car.
I'll miss many things about Dad. His laugh, his willing to help if I needed absolutely anything. I'll miss his incredible talent and his sharp engineering mind-set. The soft side of dad, especially when Mom died, he loved her so much and would easily tear up when we'd reminisce.
His love of kittens, which call his garage "home" complete with expensive cat food, water and milk. They kept him company and offered many amusing moments.
BTW there's 4 " a-dor-able " kittens who will need a "forever" home in a few weeks. Let me know if you're interested!
Thank you to all of you who took time out of their day to call, visit and write to Dad plus his wonderful neighbors. He enjoyed every visit.
Rest in peace, dad. I love you.
Eulogy written by his son, Chuck Bradley and read by the Pastor at dad's funeral:
My Dad was a man of many talents, from playing the guitar to having the ability to build something from nothing. What gave him the most pleasure was being out in his shop tinkering with something. I was always fascinated with what he was up to. As long as I can remember I would follow him out to the garage to watch or to help if I could. Anytime I would stop by, if you weren't already in the garage, we would end up there so you could show me what you were working on. When I was young I remember him saying "hold this here and don't move" so he could weld something together. He was always willing to teach me things and always willing to show me how to use his tools. I remember watching Dad weld and then him letting me try with scraps and Dad giving me pointers as it went along.
Dad was a firm believer in work. Play was something you did when the work was done. It took me a while to catch on to that idea but it is one that I now too live by. We had a lot of fun together also. He built us a go-cart when we were young, got us a mini bike and later, got me a motorcycle. He got me my first rifle and shotgun and showed me how to use them. Dad and I went to many antique thrashing shows over the years. He loved looking at old engines and tractors and listening to them run. This is something more he passed along to me.
Later in life, Dad and Mom did quite a bit of traveling in the winter when Dad would have time off from work. They both really enjoyed that.
Dad was an avid reader. He loved books on history and antique equipment. It was fun to have conversations with him along those lines.
Dad was not a man to outwardly show a lot of emotion but it was obvious after the passing of Mom that it took a toll on him. When we would talk about something that Mom would've been interested in, he would hesitate and then say that he missed her. He always said that wasn't the right order of things. He was supposed to go first.
Dad, I feel a great emptiness knowing that you aren't just phone call away or I can't drop over to see what you're up to anymore but you left me with many great memories that will slowly fill the void. I take comfort in the fact that you passed the way you would've wanted to go, quick and without suffering. We never were ones to say "I love you" but it didn't need to be said, it was a given.
Rest in peace Dad, you are again with Mom, your parents and brothers. We too will be together again someday.
Charles, Charlie or Chuck, you were always Dad to me.
A man I admired and looked up to my whole life.
Your Loving Son, Chuck
