Obituary of James Edward Bradley

Ed passed away peacefully in his 103rd year, at the Bethany Center in Cochrane, predeceased in 1992, by Margaret, his wife of 62 years. He was born in Kamloops BC, the eldest of a family of seven. He is survived by his son, Owen (Joan), grandson Michael and granddaughter Erin, all of Calgary. He is also survived by granddaughter Karen (Len), and five great-grandchildren, Robert, Sarah, Andrea, Amanda and Kimberly, all of Ontario. Also surviving Ed are his brother Clive (Shirley) and family of Reno Nevada. In addition to his five sisters, Ed was predeceased in 2005, by his grandson Steven, of Calgary. Ed spent his early years in Kamloops and witnessed the many changes in the world in the early part of the twentieth century. Keen and alert until his passing, he vividly remembered seeing cattle drives through Kamloops and the departure of men for the First World War. As a young man, Ed worked as a prospector and a miner with his father Fred. Later in life he built and upholstered furniture in Calgary and Vancouver. He had a lifelong love of music, having learned to play the trumpet in a reserve battalion band in Kamloops. During the Great Depression he supplemented the family income by playing in dance bands in Calgary and Vancouver. He was an exceptionally strong swimmer, a skill he acquired as a youngster, in the Thompson River near Kamloops. Most of his later life was spent in Vancouver, up until Margaret’s passing in 1992, when shortly after he relocated to Calgary and was resident in the Arbour Lake Retirement Home until his entrance to long term care at Bethany Cochrane at age 100. The family would like to acknowledge, and express their appreciation and sincere thanks, for the exceptional care and respect Ed has received at Bethany Cochrane. A private family service will be held at a later date. In living memory of Ed Bradley a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane Funeral Home, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE. Telephone: (403) 932-4740.