Bradford White

Bradford Christian White, 55, of Westminster, MD, died on Monday, December 12, 2022, from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in his family's business. Brad is survived by his parents Lester and Shannon White; brother Lester Allen "L.A." (Pamela) White; nieces Meghann (Clay) Phillips and Alicia (Eugene) Phillips; nephew Keegan White; and his four children, Emily, Jackson, Thomas, and Camile White, in whom his finest attributes persist and former wife and dear friend Barbara DeCesare. He is predeceased by his sister, Mitzi White. Brad was a loyal friend, dedicated family member, and an icon of Downtown Westminster. As the primary operator of White's Bicycles, opened by his family in 1983, he assisted many residents with thoughtful service and winning charm as he found the bikes folks needed, and repaired the ones they had. If you knew Brad, he knew your inseam. He got what you needed for your kid in time for Christmas. He'd help fasten it to the roof rack. His dedication to customer service was an important ingredient in the longevity of the business and the persistence of Brad's extensive friend network. Brad attended Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge, MD, and Antonelli Institute of Art in York, PA. As an art student, he lived with Jim Graham. Later, above the bike shop, he shared an apartment with Mark Hatfield. Other close friendships included customers, fellow merchants, and scores of bike mechanics, who, over the decades, became de facto members of the White family. Brad's family holds a special place in their hearts for those who have worked alongside Brad and wishes there was adequate space to recall them and their hijinks in this remembrance. He was instrumental in bringing skateboarding and snowboarding to the area through the bike shop. He was an expert in restoring vintage bikes and had a large collection. While his own passion for biking was curtailed by a knee injury, Brad's other interests and passions included Hunter S. Thompson, Ren & Stimpy, Frank Zappa, Bloom County, the Watergate scandal, George Carlin, Pilot Precise V5 pens, Calvin & Hobbes, photography & videography, The Tick, Altoids, X-Files, old cars, Christmastime, animals, Steely Dan, The Far Side, bathrobes, cooking, R. Crumb, Pink Floyd, Bil Kliban, MKUltra, hats, Charles Shultz, journaling, Eddie Izzard, Ralph Steadman, target shooting, Chinese food, art museums, Warren Zevon, and spending time with his family and friends at the White homestead and wooded fields in New Windsor, MD. Through the bike shop, Brad sponsored races, exhibitions, safety demos, and giveaways to benefit local organizations. He took particular care of customers whose bicycle was their main source of transportation. Brad used the profile and the purpose of the family business to engage in meaningful community building. Brad was happy to share a cigarette on the loading dock and tell and hear a story or two. He had a dry wit, and was a master of physical comedy, capitalizing on his expressive face and large brown eyes. He was always game for a prank, like painting his face and positioning himself in the storefront window to scare tipsy patrons leaving Johannsson's. He was all heart, and he sought connection with everyone he encountered. If you're reading this, odds are he cared about you too. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services, 254 E. Main St., Westminster. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 12 p.m. at the funeral home. He will be interred privately at the family homestead, along with Penny, the Corgi puppy and Squirrely the cat, who also succumbed in the fire. Repast will follow the service at Johansson's Dining House, 4 W. Main St., Westminster.