NOYES, Bradley Plumer Noyes Passed away at age 90 on June 1, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Born at home in Swampscott, MA, he attended Fessenden School, Palm Beach Private, and Choate Rosemary Hall. After graduation, he served two years, 1945-1946, in the US Navy as a Coxswain. He then completed a two-year business degree at Bryant & Stratton Commercial School in Boston, MA, and went to work for his family's business that began in the early 1900's in a small garage in Lowell, MA selling Buick's. By 1915, Noyes Buick Company had the Buick franchise for all New England. This continued until the early 1950's when Noyes Buick Co. was eventually dissolved. Bradley then purchased the Arlington Buick dealership in Arlington, MA, in which he remained involved until closing in 2008, ending a 108-year family history with Buick Motor cars. Bradley, one of the most respected yachtsmen of his generation, began sailing aboard his family's TIOGA (still sailing today as TICONDEROGA). On just his eight birthday, he was gifted his first sailboat, a Brutal Beast completed with sail number "8". He soon became the class champion in Marblehead, MA, and further succeeded to dominate the 110 and US One Design classes. He later won the Eastern Yacht Club's famed Puritan Cup, the oldest continually awarded sailing trophy in North America, five times within the period 1955 to 1970. Bradley successfully competed for many years on New York Yacht Club cruises and was involved in two America's Cup's campaigns with his great friend Ted Hood on the foredeck of VIM in 1958 and in the afterguard of NEFERTITI in 1962. He sailed four trans-Atlantic crossings, three with friends and one in command of his own boat. The Noyes sailing yachts were all named TIOGA. In a remarkable 15-year period, 1954-1969, Bradley commissioned no less than four Aage Nielsen-designed wood centerboard sloops, 50', 39', 43', and 46', built in Italy and Denmark. These boats were notable for their speed and good looks; they were well built, well sailed and won many races. Bradley amassed over 50,000 miles sailing one of his last TIOGA's, a 60' fiberglass Ted Hood Design collaboration. He gradually left racing behind to fully enjoy the handsome yachts he had built for extensive cruising with his wife Gail, their four boys and many friends. At the time of Bradley's passing, he enjoyed membership at the Key Largo Anglers Club and Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL and Life Memberships in the Corinthian and Eastern Yacht Clubs in Marblehead, MA. He was particularly proud of having been a 59-year member of the Cruising Club of America, where he formed lifelong friendships and sailed to many ports around the world. Earning his pilot's license at the tender age of 16 (after a driver's license at 12), Bradley became a passionate aviator. He obtained his Commercial, Glider, Twin-engine, Instrument rating, and Seaplane licenses over the course of 46 years of flying. In his thirties, Bradley founded North Atlantic Aviation, a dealership for Navion Aircraft. At this time, he partnered with other Boston-hangared aviation groups that were involved in donating emergency medical flights. These partnerships were a loosely organized precursor to today's well-organized Angel/Med Flights. Bradley was a lifelong philanthropist, who supported dozens of organizations, mostly anonymously, in the areas of health, veterans, art, culture and education. He was said to be Boston Children's Hospital's longest-giving donor, supporting the institution since he was 14. His charitable foundation will be continuing these good works for many decades. Bradley was always excited to welcome family and friends to his home, and he enjoyed regaling his grandchildren with stories of his many air and sea escapades. He equally enjoyed hearing of their accomplishments and adventures on the water, in the air, or on land. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Gail (Bromley) Noyes. Together, they raised a family of four boys – all of whom survive him: B. Pike Noyes and his wife, Linda, of Marblehead, Harry K. Noyes, of Marathon, FL, Peter W. Noyes and his wife, Nanny, of Marblehead, and Geoffrey P. Noyes and his wife Beth, of Marblehead. Additionally, he leaves his sister, Hope Ellen Noyes Smith, of Hamilton, MA, nine grandchildren, three grandsons-in-law, six great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Bradley is greatly loved and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A celebration of Bradley's life will be held at the Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead on August 3rd at 11:30AM. A second celebration will be held, November 16th at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: Boston Children's Hospital Trust (401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215) Tax ID: 04-277-4441. Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead. 781-631-0076
View the online memorial for Bradley P. NOYESPublished by Boston Globe from Jun. 23 to Jun. 24, 2018.