Bradford Krieger

1946 - 2023

News Story
By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer

Bradford Krieger, a Navy veteran who after a long auto industry career opened a welcoming neighborhood tavern, died Monday in his West Toledo home. He was 76.

He had lung cancer, his daughter Heidi Revels said.

Mr. Krieger retired from General Motors after more than 33 years at what had become the automaker's Powertrain plant. He lived close enough to the facility that he responded to a call for workers during the fabled "Blizzard of '78."

"He worked pretty much every shift and worked overtime a lot," Mrs. Revels said. "He made close friends there."

His brothers had a pub on Laskey Road and, inspired by their example, he created Brad's Place on Telegraph Road near Alexis Road.

"He wanted to own a business," Mrs. Revels said.

It took months to prepare the space before the grand opening. He had a background in carpentry and built the bar himself.

He aimed for a bar suited to a settled crowd - patrons in their 30s or 40s or older. He offered karaoke contests and live music - country and rock bands, but also combos with a trumpet or sax, a singer and a drummer. Pool leagues came to Brad's Place to compete.

"He was just really outgoing with everybody," Mrs. Revels said. "It was a fun atmosphere. He loved to dance with his wife. He loved meeting new people and liked to watch the people enjoy themselves."

The ties of camaraderie kept customers coming.

"It was a neighborhood hangout," said Ted Woodfill, brother of his wife, Sue, and a friend since kindergarten. "Brad was quick of wit. He was accepting of everybody. He wasn't a person who liked conflict or confrontation. When called for, he would deal with it. But he dealt with it in an understanding manner.

"He could hold a conversation with anybody about just about anything. He didn't nitpick who you were or what life you came out of or what life you had today. It was how you treat me and how I treat you."

Mr. Krieger operated the business for about a decade, selling it after the death in November, 2009, of daughter Lisa Meiner, who had worked there.

He was a substitute custodian for Washington Local Schools for a while. Mostly, he made time for family - coaching grandchildren's softball teams and going to their events. He was a reliable attendee at Whitmer basketball and football games.

He and his wife in the 1990s took in foster children ages 3-16 through Lucas County Children Services. They'd been known to open their home to children of family and friends who needed a place to stay. They were inspired to be foster parents by a Children Services commercial. Later, a Children Service commercial was made in their backyard, Mrs. Revels said.

"They had about 110 kids in this house at one time or another," she said. "He was very patient. He wanted to give kids a good life."

He was born Dec. 3, 1946, to Alice and Harold Krieger and grew up in the Trilby neighborhood of what is now West Toledo. He attended Whitmer High School and, after the family moved, to Sylvania High School.

His father and older brothers were carpenters, and he left school to join them in the trade.

He sailed aboard the USS Vega during his Navy service, which made multiple stops at the ports of South Vietnam to deliver supplies, said Mr. Woodfill, an Air Force veteran of the era. He was discharged in October, 1969, after four years of service.

Surviving are his wife, the former Cynthia Sue Woodfill, whom he married in September, 1968; daughters, Heidi Revels, Alicia Nelson, and Rachel Krieger; brothers Gary Krieger and Fred Krieger; sisters Diane Ritenour and Cindy Borer; 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive guests from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Newcomer Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, where funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Monday.

The family suggests tributes to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis.