David Bradford

May 28, 1943 - Nov. 5, 2013

David Bradford, passed away peacefully at his home in Tiburon with his family at his side, on November 5, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Diane Bradford, and his devoted children Michael Bradford (Cristina), of Corte Madera, and Melissa Bradford of Mill Valley; his siblings Robert Bradford of Zephyr Cover (NV), Peter Bradford (Betty) of Portola Valley, Deborah Whelan (Gabe) of Atherton and Jeffrey Bradford of Kauai. He leaves behind treasured nieces and nephews Jennifer, Harry, Brigitte, Natalie, Michelle, and Abby.

David believed family comes first. He gave his large extended family his time, encouragement, love, and guidance. Preceded in death by father Robert Adams Bradford of Boston, MA. and mother Rosemary Anne Kopmeier of Milwaukee, WI; his beloved "Nana Lor" of Milwaukee, and his sister-in-law Casey Bradford.

Born on May 28, 1943, in Sacramento, CA, where his father was stationed in the Army Air Corps. After the War, his family moved back to their home in Milwaukee, where his great grandfather, Frederick Miller had founded the Miller High Life Brewery. David graduated from Milwaukee Country Day School. In 1957, the family moved to Atherton, and he attended Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. He completed a post graduate year at Winchendon School in Massachusetts where he served as treasurer for his senior class. He attended University of Virginia, and University of Arizona. He spent his summers at the family summer home on Pine Lake outside of Milwaukee, where he enjoyed sailing his "Granny K" class C scow.

He served in the National Guard for six years, as an Orderly at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco. He had a career in commercial printing in San Francisco and Marin County for 30 years, until his retirement from Performance Printing.

David was a strong presence in his children's lives. He was actively involved in extra curricular activities, coaching softball, participating in little league practices, and traveling with his daughter to her tennis tournaments. At Redwood High School he served as Pigskin President for the football booster club from 2001-2003.

During family vacations, he welcomed his children's friends to join the family. At the family's vacation home in Rubicon Bay, CA, he often attended their late night bonfires on the beach,engaging in long spirited dialogues. He also had many wonderful family times with his wife, children, mother, siblings, and nieces and nephews, especially the times together in Hawaii at Christimas.

David had many close friends who enriched his life and he in turn enriched theirs. He shared a passion for the outdoors, and was an accomplished downhill snow skier, with Sun Valley being his favorite ski town. Golf, water skiing, boating, tennis and bike riding were some of his most enjoyed activities. For many years, he organized an annual mens ski trip to Sun Valley. In later years, this mens trip included his son.

David was a parishioner of St. Hilary's in Tiburon, and Our Lady of the Snows in Sun Valley, Idaho. There will be a celebration of David's life at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at St. Hilary's Catholic Church in Tiburon. Final burial of ashes will be at Ketchum Cemetary in Idaho.

The family would prefer, in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of David C. Bradford be made to Hanna Boys Center, P. O. Box 100, Sonoma, CA 95476, or the charity of one's choice.