Mr. William E Bradfield
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Mr. William E Bradfield

  • October 18, 1923 - October 12, 2011
  • Palm City, Florida
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Memories & Candles

“Poppop, I'm so thankful that I was able to see you this past February and that we were able to talk just a few weeks ago. We all miss you...Read More » ”
1 of 10 | Posted by: Timothy Horstmann - Mechanicburg, PA

“On behalf of the members of Knights of Columbus, Corpus Christi Assembly 2810, I extend sincere sympathies to Bill's family. No more suffering! ...Read More » ”
2 of 10 | Posted by: Ron Hamaty - Flagler Beach, FL

“I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Bill, Candace, and the rest of the Bradfield family. My prayer is that God's peace will surpass all...Read More » ”
3 of 10 | Posted by: Marsha S. Buford - Greenville, SC

“Dear Dr. James Bradfield and family, I am sorry for your lose but if he was anything like his son, he was an amazing ,wonderful person. God sure does...Read More » ”
4 of 10 | Posted by: Kristi Carter - okeechobee, FL

“We are very sorry to hear about your loss. Mr. Bradfield was an amazing person, and he never met a stranger. He was one of those people who would...Read More » ”
5 of 10 | Posted by: Rhonda Noe - Dahlonega, GA

“Dear Jeanne and family, Jack and I heard from John Noone the sad news of Bill's death. We know it is a profound loss to all. We have many fond...Read More » ”
6 of 10 | Posted by: Jane and Jack Duffy - PA

“Dear Jeanne and family, Please accept my condolences in the passing of your dear husband and father. What a fine man he was and what wonderful...Read More » ”
7 of 10 | Posted by: Marea Gower - Springfield, PA

“Aunt Jeanne and cousins, Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your Husband, Dad and my Godfather Uncle Bill. He was a kind man...Read More » ”
8 of 10 | Posted by: Matt Bradfield - Lancaster, CA

“Dear Aunt Jeanne, Mimi, Jeannie, Mary, Bill, J.B., Joe & Ted, I'm so sorry to learn of Uncle Bill's death and am thinking of you during this time...Read More » ”
9 of 10 | Posted by: Betsy Bradfield - Drexel Hill, PA

“On behalf of the staff of the Forest Hills Funeral Homes and myself, I would like to extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences on the loss of...Read More » ”
10 of 10 | Posted by: Jim Ostrand - Palm City, FL


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The family of William E. Bradfield announce his passing at his Palm City, FL home.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he spent the majority of his life working and living in that city and its suburbs. He moved to Florida in 1995 and to his current home in Palm City in 2010. He was a graduate of West Catholic High School in Philadelphia and attended Drexel University and The University of Pennsylvania's evening division.
As a youth in Manoa, Pennsylvania, he was known for his fine singing voice and could often be heard on the weekly radio broadcast of "The Irish Hour" singing solo or as a member of the popular quartet "The Four Provinces". He nurtured his love of music and his penchant for performing throughout his life and gifted it to his children and grandchildren.
During World War II he served with pride and honor in the US Navy as a chief radioman aboard the USS Euryale in the South Pacific. His ship was among the first American warships to enter Japan's Sasebo Harbor at the end of the war. As a result, he witnessed, first hand, the devastation of the fire bombings and nuclear weapons that ended the War. Following the war, he became the President and Secretary of the USS Euryale Alumni Association and was active in numerous reunions of his former crewmates.
Following the war, he took a position at Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company in Philadelphia from which he grew to the position of Vice President for Group Insurance. In his 40 year career he became a renowned expert in the burgeoning field of group insurance and was a frequent speaker at national trade organizations. He also taught at the American College of Life Underwriters in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Always involved in community affairs, he raised his 8 children in Springfield, Pennsylvania where he was active in the Knights of Columbus, The Boy Scouts of America and a host of local organizations. But his real love was music and performing. In addition to singing at weddings nearly every Saturday, he, as a member of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, was one of the founders of the little theater group, "The St. Francis Players". On stage he held starring roles in such productions as My Fair Lady, The Mikado, Kiss Me Kate, Showboat, Camelot, and South Pacific. His rich baritone was always a hallmark of the troupe's performances.
In recent years he was a member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Palm City. He had also been a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Korona, Florida. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, past Faithful Navigator, Grand Knight and founder of the Flagler Council.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Jeanne Spillane Bradfield of Palm City: daughters, Mimi Horstmann of Ormond Beach, FL, Jeanne Kunkel of Bel Air, MD and Mary Lee Rose of Columbia, MD; sons, William T. Bradfield of Greenville, SC, James E. Bradfield of Palm City, FL, Joseph J. Bradfield of Groveland, FL, and Edward A. Bradfield of Lakewood, OH; a brother, John J. Bradfield of Exton, PA; twenty-six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael F. Bradfield and a brother, Brian P. Bradfield.
SERVICES: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on October 20, 2011 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in South Florida VA National Cemetery, Lake Worth, FL with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy. In addition, the family is planning a memorial service at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Korona, Florida at a future date.
For those who wish, contributions may be made to the Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997, or at 772/403-4530 or on line at www.tchospices.org
Arrangements were under the direction of the Forest Hills Funeral Homes Palm City Chapel. An online register book is available at: www.foresthillspalmcityflorida.com.