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Bradley Sike Obituary
CWO4 Bradley Raymond Sike (USN RET), went to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. Going by the name Brad, he was 80 years old when he passed away. Brad was a long time resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was born on April 29, 1941, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, to the late Stephen Sike and Dorothy Pringle. Brad graduated from Greenville High School of Pennsylvania in June of 1959. He attended Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia where he attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies in August of 1988. In December of 1990, he earned a Master of Business Administration in Management from Golden Gate University.
Brad joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in February of 1960. In August of 1961, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended Electrician's Mate A School. He rose through the enlisted ranks, eventually attaining the rank of Senior Chief Electrician's Mate. In April of 1982, he became a Chief Warrant Officer. CWO Sike served on the USS Pensacola (LSD-38) as the Electrical Officer from July 1982 to July 1985 and on the USS Vulcan (AR-5) as the Electrical Repair Officer from August 1985 to December 1987. In January 1989, he assumed command of the USS Dynamic (AFDL-6). After a distinguished military career, Brad officially retired in November 1991. Chief Warrant Officer Sike's decorations included: Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards), Meritorious Unit Commendations, Battle Efficiency E Ribbon (2 awards), and the Good Conduct Medal (4 awards).
Brad Sike was very active in his local community, serving as past president of the Chesapeake Beach Civic League and past president of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations. He was also very passionate about his local church, Bayside Christian Church, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. There he served on several committees and as a Deacon. Brad was also very involved with the Bayside Christian Church Children's Learning Center, the church's day care center. Brad served for many years as president and chairman of the board. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was often right out front taking temperatures and helping in every way possible.
During his lifetime Brad was an avid sports fan and athlete. In college he an accomplished wrestler. Later Brad coached his only son, Bradley Raymond Sike II. Brad also coached his son in little league baseball, and he coached his three daughters, Denise, Cheri and Lori, in softball. He cheered for Washington D.C.'s NFL team before becoming an avid Pittsburg Steeler's fan. He also enjoyed NASCAR racing, hunting and was a connoisseur of collecting wine.
Brad celebrated 58 years of marriage to Mary M. Cooper Sike, formally of Marion, Virginia. They have three daughters, Denise Sike who shares an April 29th birthday with her father, Cheri Best of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Lori Zarnesky of Marion, Virginia. Their only son, Bradley Raymond Sike II passed recently on April 14, 2022 at the age of 56 from the effects of COVID. Grandchildren include Brittany Sike Porter, Aaron Berman, Michael Zarnesky, Rachel Berman Delsignore, Austin Zarnesky, Sonya Zarnesky Hamilton, Paul Best, and Brady Best. Great grandchildren include Edie Porter Jr., Kennith Raymond Berman, and Isabelle Porter. Mr. Sike is survived by his step mother, Nicole Sike, a brother, Randal Sike, and his sisters, Jennie McClure, Verna North, and Deborah Dietz.
He was a devoted father, family man, husband, friend, and mentor. We would also like to thank you all for the love, support, and most importantly the prayers.
On behalf of Mary Sike and her daughters, we would like to provide the funeral arrangements. Brad's funeral ceremony will be May 19, 2022, at 2:00pm. A celebration of life service will be held at Graham Funeral Home located at 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320.
Graveside committal (military honors) ceremony will be held on May 20, 2022 at 10:00AM (30 minute ceremony strictly enforced). The ceremony is located at Albert G. Horton Jr Memorial Veterans Cemetery at 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23434. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made online or by mail to the Wounded Warrior Project®, woundedwarriorproject.org.
Brad joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in February of 1960. In August of 1961, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended Electrician's Mate A School. He rose through the enlisted ranks, eventually attaining the rank of Senior Chief Electrician's Mate. In April of 1982, he became a Chief Warrant Officer. CWO Sike served on the USS Pensacola (LSD-38) as the Electrical Officer from July 1982 to July 1985 and on the USS Vulcan (AR-5) as the Electrical Repair Officer from August 1985 to December 1987. In January 1989, he assumed command of the USS Dynamic (AFDL-6). After a distinguished military career, Brad officially retired in November 1991. Chief Warrant Officer Sike's decorations included: Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards), Meritorious Unit Commendations, Battle Efficiency E Ribbon (2 awards), and the Good Conduct Medal (4 awards).
Brad Sike was very active in his local community, serving as past president of the Chesapeake Beach Civic League and past president of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations. He was also very passionate about his local church, Bayside Christian Church, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. There he served on several committees and as a Deacon. Brad was also very involved with the Bayside Christian Church Children's Learning Center, the church's day care center. Brad served for many years as president and chairman of the board. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was often right out front taking temperatures and helping in every way possible.
During his lifetime Brad was an avid sports fan and athlete. In college he an accomplished wrestler. Later Brad coached his only son, Bradley Raymond Sike II. Brad also coached his son in little league baseball, and he coached his three daughters, Denise, Cheri and Lori, in softball. He cheered for Washington D.C.'s NFL team before becoming an avid Pittsburg Steeler's fan. He also enjoyed NASCAR racing, hunting and was a connoisseur of collecting wine.
Brad celebrated 58 years of marriage to Mary M. Cooper Sike, formally of Marion, Virginia. They have three daughters, Denise Sike who shares an April 29th birthday with her father, Cheri Best of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Lori Zarnesky of Marion, Virginia. Their only son, Bradley Raymond Sike II passed recently on April 14, 2022 at the age of 56 from the effects of COVID. Grandchildren include Brittany Sike Porter, Aaron Berman, Michael Zarnesky, Rachel Berman Delsignore, Austin Zarnesky, Sonya Zarnesky Hamilton, Paul Best, and Brady Best. Great grandchildren include Edie Porter Jr., Kennith Raymond Berman, and Isabelle Porter. Mr. Sike is survived by his step mother, Nicole Sike, a brother, Randal Sike, and his sisters, Jennie McClure, Verna North, and Deborah Dietz.
He was a devoted father, family man, husband, friend, and mentor. We would also like to thank you all for the love, support, and most importantly the prayers.
On behalf of Mary Sike and her daughters, we would like to provide the funeral arrangements. Brad's funeral ceremony will be May 19, 2022, at 2:00pm. A celebration of life service will be held at Graham Funeral Home located at 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320.
Graveside committal (military honors) ceremony will be held on May 20, 2022 at 10:00AM (30 minute ceremony strictly enforced). The ceremony is located at Albert G. Horton Jr Memorial Veterans Cemetery at 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23434. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made online or by mail to the Wounded Warrior Project®, woundedwarriorproject.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Virginian-Pilot on May 8, 2022.
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