In Memory Of
Thomas Earl Bradley
1926
2017
Thomas Earl Bradley
July 18, 1926 — January 13, 2017
Longtime Ashwaubenon resident Tom Bradley, 90, a retired district sales manager, community volunteer and long-distance walker – who once served as honorary chairman of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon – died under a full moon on Friday, January 13, from the afflictions of his years. Tom always loved a full moon.
He spent his career with Encyclopedia Britannica, winning national sales awards, selling to schools and libraries throughout Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Tom loved his job and wished he'd never retired.
In retirement he channeled his work ethic into volunteer commitments including ringing the holiday bell for the Salvation Army and serving as a bread runner.
A tough old buck, Tom walked up to 10 miles on a given day. Into his 80's he hoofed the 26.2-mile Green Bay Marathon, undeterred by his two artificial hips. In one memorable marathon he became separated on the course from his daughter, was tracked down by a sheriff's deputy, and captured on film by television cameras as the last race finisher, hours after a speedy Kenyan won the contest. So impressed were race organizers by Tom's perseverance, they made him honorary chair of the next year's event.
Born July 18, 1926, on the family dairy farm in Cooperstown, Manitowoc County, to Thomas and Luella Bradley, young Tommy was the middle child of nine siblings. An outstanding athlete while at Denmark High School, he lettered in three sports – baseball, basketball and boxing. After graduation he enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed in Japan at the end of World War II.
Back home in Cooperstown, Tom took flying lessons and is believed to have been the first private pilot to land an airplane at newly built Austin Straubel airport. His future wife was his first passenger.
In 1950 he married LaVerne Sauer, a farm girl from Whitelaw, whom he met at a dance when he was 17 and she was 14. LaVerne is of Bohemian descent, and so Tom was destined to a lifetime of polka-band weddings. The two had been married 66 years at the time of his death.
Tom earned a two-year degree from Manitowoc County Teachers College and taught junior high school briefly before moving into sales.
A handsome black-haired, blue-eyed Irishman, Tom was proud of his Celtic heritage and enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to Ireland with his son in 2001.
Sensitive and big-hearted, Tom was man enough to believe in the benefits of a good cry. Positive, hopeful and kind, he managed to find the good in others, even the most obnoxious of souls. "I'm sure she has many fine qualities," Tom might say.
He loved ice cream. Tom loved ice cream so much his military buddies nicknamed him Ice Cream Brad. He also relished an ice-cold Heineken, made even colder with ice cubes.
Tom appreciated Mother Nature, especially taking a walk in the woods. And like everyone else in town, he was devoted to the home team. During the Lombardi era, he volunteered as an equipment manager for the Packers.
He often quoted pithy sayings, especially, "If everyone's thinking alike, no one's thinking."
A longtime member of Green Bay Community Church, where he was a member of the elder board, Tom was a man of deep faith. His favorite Bible verse comes from Isaiah 26:3. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee."
Tom was predeceased by his brothers, Michael, Raymond and Jerome Bradley; sisters, Dorothy Bradley; Grace Theil; and Marilyn Ourada; and by his boyhood pet dog, Shep.
He is survived by his wife, LaVerne Bradley of Green Bay; daughter, Larken Bradley and her husband Mark Blackburn of San Rafael, CA; son, Carmen Bradley and his partner Ms. Theo Gund of Sun Valley, ID; daughters, Shannon Bradley of Green Bay; and Ave Bradley of Los Angeles; granddaughter, McKenna Berken of Milwaukee; brother, George Bradley of Green Bay; sister, Geraldine Wojta of New Hope, MN; and by his brothers-in-law, Francis Sauer of Ocoee, FL; and Alvin Ourada of Green Bay. He also leaves behind his former son-in-law, Frank Berken of DePere.
Tom's family extends its deep gratitude to Luke Warpinski, MD, the staff and caregivers at Woodside nursing home, Woodside Villa, Aurora Hospice, and Newcomer Funeral Home all of whom deserve a gold medal.
A private memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Family members suggest any memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army.
To share condolences or special memories with the family, please click on the icon above.
He spent his career with Encyclopedia Britannica, winning national sales awards, selling to schools and libraries throughout Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Tom loved his job and wished he'd never retired.
In retirement he channeled his work ethic into volunteer commitments including ringing the holiday bell for the Salvation Army and serving as a bread runner.
A tough old buck, Tom walked up to 10 miles on a given day. Into his 80's he hoofed the 26.2-mile Green Bay Marathon, undeterred by his two artificial hips. In one memorable marathon he became separated on the course from his daughter, was tracked down by a sheriff's deputy, and captured on film by television cameras as the last race finisher, hours after a speedy Kenyan won the contest. So impressed were race organizers by Tom's perseverance, they made him honorary chair of the next year's event.
Born July 18, 1926, on the family dairy farm in Cooperstown, Manitowoc County, to Thomas and Luella Bradley, young Tommy was the middle child of nine siblings. An outstanding athlete while at Denmark High School, he lettered in three sports – baseball, basketball and boxing. After graduation he enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed in Japan at the end of World War II.
Back home in Cooperstown, Tom took flying lessons and is believed to have been the first private pilot to land an airplane at newly built Austin Straubel airport. His future wife was his first passenger.
In 1950 he married LaVerne Sauer, a farm girl from Whitelaw, whom he met at a dance when he was 17 and she was 14. LaVerne is of Bohemian descent, and so Tom was destined to a lifetime of polka-band weddings. The two had been married 66 years at the time of his death.
Tom earned a two-year degree from Manitowoc County Teachers College and taught junior high school briefly before moving into sales.
A handsome black-haired, blue-eyed Irishman, Tom was proud of his Celtic heritage and enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to Ireland with his son in 2001.
Sensitive and big-hearted, Tom was man enough to believe in the benefits of a good cry. Positive, hopeful and kind, he managed to find the good in others, even the most obnoxious of souls. "I'm sure she has many fine qualities," Tom might say.
He loved ice cream. Tom loved ice cream so much his military buddies nicknamed him Ice Cream Brad. He also relished an ice-cold Heineken, made even colder with ice cubes.
Tom appreciated Mother Nature, especially taking a walk in the woods. And like everyone else in town, he was devoted to the home team. During the Lombardi era, he volunteered as an equipment manager for the Packers.
He often quoted pithy sayings, especially, "If everyone's thinking alike, no one's thinking."
A longtime member of Green Bay Community Church, where he was a member of the elder board, Tom was a man of deep faith. His favorite Bible verse comes from Isaiah 26:3. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee."
Tom was predeceased by his brothers, Michael, Raymond and Jerome Bradley; sisters, Dorothy Bradley; Grace Theil; and Marilyn Ourada; and by his boyhood pet dog, Shep.
He is survived by his wife, LaVerne Bradley of Green Bay; daughter, Larken Bradley and her husband Mark Blackburn of San Rafael, CA; son, Carmen Bradley and his partner Ms. Theo Gund of Sun Valley, ID; daughters, Shannon Bradley of Green Bay; and Ave Bradley of Los Angeles; granddaughter, McKenna Berken of Milwaukee; brother, George Bradley of Green Bay; sister, Geraldine Wojta of New Hope, MN; and by his brothers-in-law, Francis Sauer of Ocoee, FL; and Alvin Ourada of Green Bay. He also leaves behind his former son-in-law, Frank Berken of DePere.
Tom's family extends its deep gratitude to Luke Warpinski, MD, the staff and caregivers at Woodside nursing home, Woodside Villa, Aurora Hospice, and Newcomer Funeral Home all of whom deserve a gold medal.
A private memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Family members suggest any memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army.
To share condolences or special memories with the family, please click on the icon above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Earl Bradley, please visit our flower store.
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