Donald F. Bradley, Jr, MD passed peacefully at the age of 86 in his home on Sunday, April 8, 2018. Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1931 to Donald F. Bradley and Orrill May Bradley, he was the eldest of five sons. He attended The Hotchkiss School and Yale University and received his medical degree from The New York Medical College in 1957. Following a year of internship at Waterbury Hospital, he served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army for three and a half years in the 35th Armored Tank Battalion in Germany and Italy. Upon his honorable discharge, he entered a surgical residency at Buffalo General Hospital, and began private practice as a general surgeon at Hartford Hospital in 1966, retiring in 1997. Though careers end, a Calling never does: Alas, retirement did not take. So he went back to his life's work and began a nineteen year career in Occupational Medicine, finally retiring in full in 2016 at St. Francis Hospital. In addition, Dr. Bradley served as trustee of the Hartford Medical Society, was a member of the Connecticut Medical Society, The Hartford County Medical Association, and the Beaumont Medical History Club at Yale, New Haven. Shortly after beginning medical school, Donald met his wife, Barbara Burke, in 1953 at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital in NYC where she was attending nursing school. They married in 1956, and he graduated in 1957. The births of their sons, Donald, Burke, and Ian followed and by 1969, the family had settled in West Hartford. Medicine was not his job, it was truly his calling. He loved his patients, and they loved him back, some becoming friends for life. He was a loving husband and to his sons a role model for work ethic and integrity. By his grandchildren and great grandchildren he was known as Poppy, an entertaining storyteller and larger than life character. He will be dearly missed by them all. In addition to his love of medicine and family, he was an avid pen and clock collector, history buff, voracious reader, and world traveler. He leaves behind his devoted wife of sixty two years, Barbara, their oldest son, Donald F. Bradley III and his wife Christine, their children Colton and Sarah; their second son, Burke Thompson Bradley, MD, his wife Amy, their children, Quinn, Keavy, Declan, and Roarke; and their youngest son Ian Strong Bradley, his wife Renee, and daughters Lea and Xenia. From his granddaughter Quinn and her husband German Menjivar, he was blessed with two great grandchildren, Halen and Willa. He is also survived by all four of his brothers, Thompson Bradley, Edward Mix Bradley, Orrin Terhune Bradley, and Nicholas Holt Bradley. A memorial service celebrating Dr. Bradley's life will be held Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 12:00pm at South Congregational Church Hartford. A reception will follow in Gray Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. Bradley's name to the "Step Up" Campaign which will fund the Historic Preservation of the Brownstone front steps of the South Congregational Church, founded in 1670 in Hartford, CT. www.scchartford.org

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Published by Hartford Courant on Apr. 12, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Bradley

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6 Entries

Susan Spector

January 11, 2021

Dr Bradley was one of the most amazing doctors I ever had. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was much younger and he literally guided me through the process. He became a person both my husband and I cherished. I will never forget when he called to tell me my test results and I freaked out. He had me come to his office that night even though there was a retirement party in process for one of his colleagues. After I had a biopsy he walked me over to the plastic surgeons office to introduce me for the next part of my journey . They operated on me together. I can’t say enough about this man- I only just found out about his passing what a unique and caring individual- I hope he is at peace.

Jo-Anne Carlin

December 20, 2019

Sorry to hear of the loss of a great man. Although I did not work for him directly, we did share office space with him. I remember his avid pen collection and was glad to bring him back some Harley Davidson pens on a trip home to Montreal. He was super funny and always had us in stitches (excuse the pun.) Much love to this family.

Glenn Catania

August 9, 2018

Dr. Bradley was one of the greatest guys I have ever known. He was an asset to the medical field and humanity. I first met him as a rookie police officer and we became great friends. He took care of my family well. RIP Doc Bradley. I will never forget your compassion and service.

Beth Parent

April 12, 2018

Mrs. B., Don, Burke, and Ian:
I cannot truly express how sorry I am for the loss of such a wonderful man. I worked for Dr. B. for almost 8 years and loved him like a second father. I will never forget his twinkling eyes or the sound of his lab coat flapping as he walked down the hallway toward the office. As you know, he was top notch, professionally and personally. Like my dad, he filled a room with his wonderful personality. I was just thinking of him the other day and was reminded of how lucky I was to have known him. Then I missed him and sent good wishes through the "airwaves", only to find out today that he had passed. I hope he received them in Heaven, because we all know that's where this fine man is. Love and deepest condolences to you all and your families. (Burke - You're a grandpa??? Ian -- You're a daddy? Lord, I'm old!! I remember typing your essay on McKinley's assassination!)