Obituary of Keith Bradley

July 22, 1935 – Newton Abbot, England

October 17, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Keith Bradley departed this earth on Thursday, October 17, 2024, after a struggle with cancer. He lived 89 years.

Husband, brother, son, colleague, veteran, and friend.

Keith was born in Newton Abbot, in the south of England, in the heat of July, during the Great Depression on July 22, 1935, to Katherine Gordon and Bernard Bradley. He grew up with three sisters. His sisters, Ann Bradley and Carol Tuohy, reside in Wivelscombe, Somerset, England.

He grew up amidst WWII. When he was just five, he had one British penny in his hand, deciding between chocolate or sweets, when an air raid siren went off. He claimed, at 89, he was still upset losing that penny when two sisters each picked him up by the arm to carry him to safety.

Keith’s memories of home in England were filled with the sounds of bombers overhead and the devastation of the war – it drew fear into a small boy. He marvelled at the talented Spitfire pilots overhead. One came so close to his home that he could see the pilot – an unshaven face, cap, goggles – and the sound of bullets raking the roof embedded into his memory. Keith wrote stories of trading pieces of shrapnel with friends and practicing wearing gas masks. He spoke of food rationing, bombs crashing, men not returning home, fear of polio and tuberculosis, and the stress it placed on families.

At 18, Keith served as a signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals (British Army). Within two years, he reached the rank of corporal and moved on to civilian life. His father, Bernard, fought in the trenches of WWI as a member of the Devonshire Regiment.
Over his lifetime, Keith held various jobs: delivery man, tree feller, tin basher, window cleaner, film extra, tour guide, bus driver, car salesman, insurance salesman, and a commissionaire for 20 years at the Military Museums.

In 1975, Keith married Eila Vakkuri, of Sudbury, on Friday, August 18, 1978. She was the love of his life. They built a beautiful life together, travelling the world. They were married 36 years until her passing in 2014. With no children, they were free to travel wherever their hearts desired. Eila, a travel agent, planned numerous cruises, including their favourite to St. Kitts and Nevis, where their final resting place will be together.

In later years, Keith was a snowbird to St. Pete Beach, Florida. He cherished the friendships he formed there.

Over this time, we’ve noticed one thing to be true: everyone who crossed Keith’s path remarked on his incredible sense of humour. Gosh, could he ever make a person laugh. Keith was also generous, donating regularly to several charities. Beneath his strong exterior was a kind-hearted soul. He often expressed his gratitude to the doctors and staff at Rockyview General Hospital for their care, as well as to friends who visited and called. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the tattoos Keith got at 85!

We write this as friends, fond of his quick wit, his storytelling, and that devastatingly good-looking smile he often joked about. Keith had a nickname for everyone, which stuck from then on.

Keith’s last days were peaceful. He sang a funny song, shared some excellent stories, and told a few jokes. He was ready. He joked about having tickets to the show of the end of his life but earned a ticket straight to heaven to see his Eila.

Memorial Services will be held at The Military Museums (4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Keith’s family here.

In living memory of Keith Bradley, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.