Charles Bradford, 60, served on town boards

Charles "Chap" Bradford, 60, of New Milford, died June 7, 2010. He was the husband of Patricia Brant Bradford.

Mr. Bradford grew up in Rowayton and graduated in 1967 from Brian McMahon High School. He continued his education in Lakeland, Fla.

He met his future wife, Pat, in Corry, Pa., while working at Leisure Time Toys, a motorcycle shop. They eloped on June 15, 1973, and with their first two children, Jennifer and Jodi, moved to Massachusetts, where Jamie was born.

Mr. Bradford took a job logging and, around 1980, the family moved to Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., where Joan was born.

Three years later they settled in Peekskill, N.Y., where Julie, Joseph, Jean and June were born. They stayed in Peekskill for 20 years before moving to New Milford about five years ago.

Mr. Bradford was a long time employee at Garito Contracting of Yonkers, N.Y. , and a member of the local 137 union for more than 30 years.

Mr. Bradford was an avid fisherman and was known to many as Captain Chap.

He was also a member of the New Milford Republican Committee, the New Milford Zoning Commission and an alternate on the New Milford Farmland Preservation.

In his passion for politics, his heart was to reestablish the principles and morals our founding fathers had established for this country.

His latest hobbies included target shooting, raising chickens, custom canvassing for boats and cars and shopping trips to Cabellas.

Mr. Bradford was known as a loving, slow to anger, kind-hearted man who loved God and his family unconditionally. He was also known to have a heart to serve and give; he never expected anything in return.

He was willing to use his talents to take care of his family and friends. He was known to be a good friend and for being seen with a smile on his face.

Mr. Bradford was a man of God who lived his life based upon the principles of kindness, respect, forgiveness, friendship and love.

Mr. Bradford had once written that God wants us to do great things, including tell the truth, keep my word, be faithful to my spouse, sacrifice to protect children, make a commitment to encourage instead of judge, smile instead of frown, treat people with respect and be in service rather than be served by others.

In addition to his wife of 38 years, Mr. Bradford is survived by eight children, Jennifer Dandreano, and her husband, Frank, of Beacon, N.Y., Jodi Ciancanelli, and her husband, Royal, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., Jamie Bradford, and his wife, Dawn, of Greenbackville, Va., Joan Morrison, and her husband, Cliff, of Fishkill, N.Y., and Julie Bradford, Jean Bradford and June Bradford, of New Milford, and Joseph Bradford, and his fiancee, Emily Carroll, of New Milford; 12 grandchildren; his mother, Wanda; and his brother, Bart.

Burial was held June 12 at West Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Pa.

The Lillis Funeral Home in New Milford was in charge of the arrangements.