Vernon H. Bradley

Vernon H. Bradley, 87, of Peace Dale RI, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2010 with family at his side. He was the husband of Carolyn (Miller) Bradley. Born in Woodbury, CT, he was a son of the late Arthur W. and Ruth E. (Knox) Bradley. Mr. Bradley served in WW II, stationed with the 487th Bombardment Group (H), United States Army Air Forces in Lavenham, England. Upon returning after the war, he attended the University of Connecticut earning a degree in Business Administration. In 1950, he married his loving bride Carolyn. This past June marked the celebration of 60 years of devoted marriage. In 1957, he moved his family to Darien, CT where he assumed the duties as founding Executive Director of the Darien YMCA. This was the start of a long and successful career as a YMCA Director. In 1973, he accepted the position of founding Executive Director, South County, RI YMCA. With little more than a one room office, Mr. Bradley guided volunteers in South County to start and build a new YMCA facility, now located on Broad Rock Rd. in Wakefield, RI. During his tenure with the South County YMCA, he also managed Camp Fuller YMCA located on Point Judith Pond in Wakefield. During his years with the YMCA, he helped thousands of children and families by enriching their lives with the YMCA values of Spirit, Mind and Body. Mr. Bradley retired in 1986 from the YMCA, but continued on as an active member of the Wakefield Rotary Club. He held many offices with the organization including president. He was a very active volunteer at the annual Rotary Club Balloon Festival which was one of his favorite events. He was the brother of the late Kenneth A. Bradley and Dorothy B. Drzal. Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Susan Bradley Traver of Kingston, RI; a son, Stephen D. Bradley and his wife Karen of Chester, CT; a sister, Patricia Little of Middlebury, CT; six grandchildren, Kevin P. Traver and his wife Michele of Wareham, MA; Keith B. Traver and his wife Laura of Madison, CT; Emily C. Traver and Benjamin Gojman of Philadelphia, PA; Ens. Sarah E. Bradley USCG of Cape Canaveral, FL; Cadet Kristen R. Bradley USCGA of New London, CT; and Scott A. Bradley of Chester, CT; as well as three great-grandchildren Lily, Shane, and Ariana Traver. A memorial service will be held at the Kingston Congregational Church, 2610 Kingstown Road, Kingston, RI on Sun. November 7, 2010 at 2:00 PM. Burial will be private and visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the South County YMCA Financial Assistance Program supporting youth development. South County YMCA, 165 Broad Rock Road, Wakefield, RI 02879, (401) 783-3900.