DUDLEY – Reverend David T. P. Bradley, 85, of 34 Aldea Avenue, died Sunday, December 7, in Lifecare Center of Auburn after a short illness.
He leaves his wife of 56 years, Priscilla A. (Hingston) Bradley; a daughter, Rebecca L. Ankener of Peabody; a son, Carl P. Bradley of Washington State; a sister, Miriam Sidle of Arlington, Virginia; 3 grandchildren, and 2 great granddaughters.
He was born in Philadelphia, and was one of the first students to graduate from Saint Andrew Preparatory School in Middletown, Delaware. At the University of Pennsylvania, he obtained an associate degree in civil engineering , and then a bachelor degree in philosophy, graduating in the top of the class with the designation “major honors with distinction.” He then studied theology at Philadelphia Episcopal Divinity School. In 1950, he earned a Masters Degree from the General Seminary in Yonkers. In his lifetime, he also studied geology, astronomy, navigation, and surveying. He was fluent in Latin and Greek.
Father Bradley was ordained to the priesthood on December 16,1942. He first served at Trinity Episcopal Church in Greenwich Village, and then at the Church of Our Father in Hull’s Cove, Mount Desert Island, Maine. He was then rector at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Yonkers, New York, and then rector at the Church of the Reconciliation in Webster. He then joined the Anglican Catholic Church, which opposes the liberal tendencies of the Episcopal Church. Father Bradley founded Saint Columba’s Anglican Catholic Church in Dudley in 1984, and retired in 2000.
He was an assistant engineer for the town of Southbridge, and then worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Highway Department for several years, retiring in 1999. He was a longtime member of the Sturbridge Rotary Club, and a member of the Retired State Employees Association of Massachusetts.
Among his numerous interests, Father Bradley was a clock maker and repairer. He also raised bees. He enjoyed mountain climbing, and organized trips for youth. He spent time traveling, usually combining trips with academic interests. He and his wife completed archaeological investigations in Scotland and Ireland. He also excelled at surveying, and completed studies of standing stones.
The funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 11, in the First Congregational Church, 135 Center Road. Burial will be in Waldron Cemetery. A calling period will be from 9:30 to 10:45 AM Thursday morning at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Saint Columba’s Anglican Catholic Church, c/o Rev. Donald J. Farrell, 19 Lincoln Road, Danielson, Connecticut 06239
Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster, is directing funeral arrangements.