John Thomas Bradley Sr.

John Thomas (Jack) Bradley, Sr, formerly of Essex Fells, NJ, and Andes, NY, former Real Estate Broker, Essex Fells Police Officer, and Essex County Under-Sheriff, passed away peacefully with his family in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on November 2, 2022, at the age of 88. Jack was born in Montclair, NJ, and raised in Roseland, NJ, during simpler times in the area. He grew up hunting, fishing, playing baseball and football, and working at places like the local Becker Farm. He excelled in baseball at Grover Cleveland High School, Caldwell, NJ and at graduation was drafted by the NY Giants baseball team, getting a chance to practice in the Polo Grounds and meet many of the players of the 1950's. After his first shot at the big leagues, he joined the Army, spending most of his service playing baseball for the US Army 25th Division, 27th Infantry Wolfhounds from 1956-1958 at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, HI. He then returned to NJ, joined the Essex Fells Police force, and married his neighbor Gail Pezzicara. Most police officers of that day held second jobs and Jack was no different. One of those jobs was in real estate and after 11 years with the police, he decided to give residential home sales a go, full time. He founded John T Bradley Real Estate and purchased the red historical house at 11 Park Ave in Caldwell, NJ for his office. A competitor and natural athlete, Jack joined the Essex Fells Country Club in 1972 and became excellent at golf, playing many rounds, including a best of par 70. He was a fixture on the golf course and in the grill room during the 70's and 80's and was proud to be the founder of the club's first annual Venison Dinner. He often talked about how the first dinner in 1977 was in the middle of a major snowstorm and they were worried no one would show up. Quite the opposite happened. The grill room was packed, and the cigar smoke filled the room as the men feasted on venison that the chef prepared in a variety of ways. Jack moved to his farm in Andes, NY in the 1990's where he continued his love of hunting, fishing, woodcutting, and a variety of other outdoor activities, a passion that had earned him the nickname "Grizzly" many years earlier. At 6' 3" 225+ lbs. and naturally strong as a bear, the name fit his imposing stature and personality quite well. As intimidating as Jack could be, he never missed a chance to tell his kids, grandkids, daughter-in-law, many beagles over the years, that he loved them. Jack's cabin in Andes is best described as a "man cave", where dogs, cigars, family, and friends were always welcome and stories of his hunting ventures in Roseland, Andes, and Wyoming, along with his baseball, army, police force and many other life experiences filled the air. The rules in the cabin were simple: relax, feel free to have a cigar with a drink (ice-cold Coca Cola or beer, hot black coffee, "Mary-Smith Mountain Dew" moonshine served), just don't overdo it and whatever you do, don't ask for milk in your coffee, complain about the cigar smoke, comment negatively on his beloved beagle's shedding fur, or stand in front of the tv during a baseball game. Any guest who didn't hold his own by at least bringing in logs for the wood stove was also looked upon unfavorably. Jack is survived by his brother Bob Bradley of Clemmons, NC, his loving son and daughter-in-law Tom and Susan Bradley of Fort Lauderdale, FL, daughter Kim Batta of Cape Cod, MA, his 8 grandchildren Sarah, Drew, Grant, Garrett, Anna, Rebecca Bradley and John and Matthew Batta, along with many cousins and extended family including our honorary family members Mary Anne Libiran and her daughter Rain. He was pre-deceased by his parents George and Anna, his Aunt Claire who treated him like a son, many other loved aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins. Services to celebrate Jack's life will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite dog shelter or Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org would be appreciated. Garrett Jones Memorial Home 45 Roseland Avenue Roseland, NJ 07068 (973) 228-7925