Lee Adelbert Bradley

Lee A. Bradley "Bud", age 84, died Monday, September 20, 2010 at the Harbor Chase Assisted Living Center in Auburn Hills. Formerly a longtime resident of Warren, he was born on August 8, 1926 in Hamtramck, the son of the late Linus and the late Ann (nee: Shovan) Bradley. With thanks & praise from a grateful nation, we pay homage to Lee for his service to our country during World War II. A decorated veteran and sailor in the U.S. Navy, he served as an Electrician's Mate aboard the destroyer, the USS Hamul. We honor his memory for the sacrifices made in preserving & protecting the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today. Bud spent his childhood in Detroit. Never much interested in book learning, he spent his time and energy with his buddies playing pick-up games of various sorts (kickball, football, etc.) and scheming to disrupt the adult world with pranks. Summers were spent with his sister, Bette at his grandparents cottage in Canada, where he developed his love of swimming and fishing. As it did for the entire generation, WWII dramatically changed Bud's world. Enlisting in the US Navy following his graduation from high school, he served in the Pacific Theatre until the war ended. The stories from this time are very different, describing typhoons, canned rations, and sleeping in a foxhole holding a knife, just in case. Even still, he focused on the comradarie that developed between those that served together. Upon leaving the Navy, Bud took advantage of the educational opportunities provided to veterans and, in what he would perhaps consider the most significant event of his life, met and married Irene, his wife of 53 years. Education brought work, first at Holly Carbureator, and later, for more than 30 years, at General Motors. Irene brought him an extended Italian family of brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and, of course, "Shorty", his father-in-law, a man as willing as he was to keep things from getting too serious. Life was good. Working hard allowed Bud to provide generously for his wife and for the daughter (Becky) that he added to his personal list of "best things". He and Irene built a house in the suburbs that they tended with meticulous care, filling it with the extended family as often as holidays would allow, and filling it with neighbors and friends between those times. Weekends were spent in the yard, or with his wife and daughter at his parents helping with chores and visiting with his sister and her family. Summers were again spent at cottages, now at various locations in Ohio and Michigan. The brothers-in-law formed a ready made club at these events, drinking beer and playing cards with such enthusiasm that they kept the kids awake. Family continued to be central to Bud, even as his daughter and the neices and nephews grew up and formed families of their own. Retirement brought more free time and he filled it with what he knew best...working around the house, reading books on WWII, and keeping up with family and friends. A son-in-law (Cliff), with a ready-made family, added some excitement. Two grand-puppies brought back memories of his childhood pets. Travel destinations remained simple...his wife's home town in Pennslyvania, his brother-in-law's vineyards in California, and the company of the same extended family members he had found many years ago throughout his marriage. Irene's death three years ago was a huge blow. With the "love of his life" no longer at his side, Bud's world shrank dramatically. Despite the efforts of family and friends, Bud retreated into himself, putting less and less effort into fighting the memory problems he had begun to experience. He is now at peace, though we all expect that Irene met him in heaven with a list of things he needed to do. Beloved husband of the late Irene. Dear father of Becky (Cliff) Irey. Brother of the late Bette Mitchell. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation for Lee will be on Thursday, September 23rd from 3-9pm, with a 7pm Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 1/2 Mile Rd) in Warren. He will lie in state on Friday from 9:30am until the time of Mass at 10:00am at St. Therese of Avila - St. Dorothy Campus, 12255 Frazho Road in Warren. Entombment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Waterford, Michigan. Memorial donations are welcomed to the Geneva P. Freeman Fund - York Health Foundation, 912 South George, York, PA 17403. Please share memories of Lee at his guest book.