Keith John Bradley, 61, of Derry, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, surrounded by his wife and loved ones following a lengthy illness. He was born on February 26, 1964, in Claremont, New Hampshire, a son of the late Alfred C. Bradley, Jr. and the late Barbara Ann (Trepanier) Bradley. Keith graduated from Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire, with the Class of 1983.
Following the family’s move to Derry in the early 1970s, Keith attended elementary, middle, and high school there. Prior to high school, he was very active in youth sports—flag football, Derry Little League, and Derry Demons football. In high school, Keith was a standout athlete, lettering in football, lacrosse, and basketball at Pinkerton Academy. The friendships he made during this time became lifelong bonds—loyal, unbreakable, and treasured.
After graduating from Pinkerton, Keith attended Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, before enrolling in the police academy and becoming a New Hampshire State Trooper. After several years with the State Police, Keith joined the Goffstown Police Department. Later in life, he became a proud member of the Local 3 Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Union in Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked for 25 years before retiring on January 1, 2024. Throughout his life, Keith also framed and roofed many homes in southern New Hampshire—something he loved to do more as a passion than a job.
Keith spent more than three decades playing softball with friends in the Derry area—years filled with travel, laughter, victories and losses, and countless stories that became legends among his group. Those friendships evolved into family, and the memories they made together will last a lifetime.
Keith was loved, appreciated, and treasured by everyone who knew him. While he could be outspoken and opinionated, he always respected others’ views—and you always knew where he stood. If you were part of his circle, his dedication and loyalty were unmatched.
He had many passions: vegetable gardening, gaming, bluegrass and country music, movies both new and old, history, reading, baking sourdough bread and biscuits, the Old Testament, shooting trap or pistol and hunting and fishing. But his greatest love was riding his Harley-Davidson—something he had done since the moment he was old enough to drive. Keith was also a self-taught guitarist and mandolin player who became quite talented. Three years ago, he started a pickleball team in Derry with his friends and taught everyone how to play—a game he loved and hopes they will continue weekly in his honor while he watches from above.
On March 17, 2017, Keith reconnected with an old high school friend, Jenna Marie (Christenbery) Ruggirio, after 28 years without contact. From that moment, it felt like putting on a favorite pair of his Levi’s. Keith was very clear that he was “in it to win it” - five months later, they began living together, sharing everything they had longed for: love, laughter, devotion, security, and adventure. Whether on the Harley, at the range, or traveling to their favorite spots in Aruba and Florida, Keith and Jenna lived life fully and joyfully. The couple also loved hosting their Friday and Saturday dinners at home with “The Village” — a cherished group of 26 to 32 of their closest friends — laughing and sharing stories late into the night.
Keith proposed to Jenna on September 7, 2023, and wedding plans were soon underway. Following his retirement on January 1, 2024, a visit to urgent care on January 6 led to the discovery of a brain tumor on the right parietal portion of Keith’s brain. He was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, where he underwent surgery on January 11 for a Glioblastoma Multiforme tumor—an incurable and terminal diagnosis. Remarkably, Keith was home by January 13.
On April 13, 2024, Keith and Jenna were married, sealing a bond and love like no other. They had truly found their person in one another.
Despite the diagnosis, 2024 was a spectacular year—filled with countless memories, laughter, and love. Even while battling cancer, Keith embraced life fully, following every recommended treatment, taking every prescribed medication, and never once complaining. Unless you knew he was ill, you would never have known he had brain cancer. Keith lived life entirely on his own terms—doing everything he loved.
When the tumor returned, Keith underwent a second surgery on January 2, 2025, and was home again just two days later. This year, 2025, brought many challenges, but Keith faced every obstacle with unwavering bravery, grace, and determination.
Keith is survived by his beloved wife, Jenna Marie Bradley, of Derry, New Hampshire; his brother, Kurt Bradley, and his husband, Juan Cortés, of Des Moines, Washington; two stepdaughters, Amelia Ruggirio and Katie Lee (Ruggirio) Durkee, and his son-in-law, Russell Paul Durkee II, all of New Hampshire; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The “Village” stood by Keith through thick and thin throughout his life, and especially during every step of his final journey - steadfast, unwavering, and filled with love.
In his final months and days, four extraordinary individuals—affectionately known as “Keith’s Angels on Earth”—stood faithfully by his side, along with Katie and Russ, in caregiving roles. Together, they provided Keith with devoted, round-the-clock care, allowing Jenna to once again embrace her role as a loving wife. The “Angels” quickly became part of their close-knit family, and together they shared lessons, laughter, and love that will never be forgotten. These were truly treasured moments—bright spots of grace and connection in the midst of the most difficult times.
Following cremation by Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium in Derry, New Hampshire, a Celebration of Keith’s Life will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 603 Brewery, 42 Main Street, Londonderry, New Hampshire, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The evening will be filled with laughter, stories, Keith’s favorite foods and desserts, and, of course, his favorite music. A cash bar will also be available.
Please join in celebrating this very special and incredibly loving man who is now an angel watching over us all—after, of course, saying hello to those who were waiting for him, iced coffee or cold Bud in hand.
Guests are invited to wear Harley-Davidson gear, Pickleball attire, or gray, which represents Glioblastoma awareness. (Glioblastoma shirts are available on Amazon.)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a designated box at the celebration. Jenna will forward all proceeds as a check to Dr. Jorg Dietrich, Neuro-Oncology, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, in support of Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research in Keith’s memory.