Otis Leonard Bridgeford, Sr.

Otis Leonard Bridgeford Sr. was born January 4, 1941 in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Willie Sr. and Norvella Bridgeford. He passed away on February 26, 2012 at his home in Hillside, New Jersey. He received his elementary and secondary education in the Raleigh Public School System and later received a degree from the Agricultural and Technical College (University) in Greensboro, North Carolina. He became a civil rights activist and participated in the Lunch-counter sit in demonstrations with other students from the College in Greensboro. In 1962, he married his high school sweetheart Jane Carpenter, in the Saint Monica's Catholic Church in Raleigh. From this union two wonderful children were born, the late Otis Bridgeford Jr. and Monica Bridgeford-Halsey. Otis was a chemical plater for Western Electric, and after 41 years of service, he retired from Lucent Technology in PA. In 2005, Otis received a second chance at life when he became a recipient of a heart and kidney transplant at Newark Beth Israel Hospital. At that time he accepted Jesus Christ once again as his Lord and Savior. Otis was a kind and gentle sprit, mild mannered, a man who loved his family and friends, a man respected and loved by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his mother, Norvella Bridgeford, father, Willie Bridgeford Sr. and son, Otis Bridgeford Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory: his nurturing, devoted wife, Jane Lee; one brother, Willie Bridgeford Jr. of New York; one daughter, Monica Bridgeford-Halsey (Barney) of New Jersey; three beloved grandchildren, Asia, Aziz and Aiyah; his loving niece, Torova Bridgeford-Williams (Gregory) of New York; and a host of other relatives and friends. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Otis Bridgeford. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add our own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.