Bradford Bell Nees

Leona “Lee” Sanstock Nees passed away on September 29, 2021 and eternally joined her husband of 69 years, Bradford “Brad” Bell Nees who passed away earlier this year on August 6, 2021. Residents of Sarasota, Florida for more than 67 years, Brad and Lee will be laid to rest together at Sarasota National Cemetery later this year.

Lee was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1930 and moved to New Hampshire as a young child. It was there that she would meet the love of her life, Brad, while in middle school and start a courtship that would last over 75 years.

Brad was born in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1930 and grew up in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, he commissioned in the United States Army and served on active duty during the Korean conflict from 1952 to 1954 before entering the Army Reserves.

Lee and Brad were married in 1952 and Lee accompanied Brad to Fort Ord in Monterey, California where she awaited his tour of duty in Japan/Korea as an Army spouse. After living in California, they realized they didn’t want to return to the New England winters so they moved to Sarasota, Florida.

In 1954 Brad started working for R.C Martin Concrete until he retired in 1991 as Vice President and General Manager. Brad was a member of the Sarasota Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Sarasota Exchange Club, the Elks Club, First Presbyterian Church and the Oaks Club. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Concrete & Products Association, President of the Gulf Coast Concrete Products Association, and on the Board of the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross. Brad was a kind, gentle, loving man who enjoyed golf, boating, cruising, sitting out on Siesta Key, and watching football and classic movies while eating his snacks, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Soon after arriving in Sarasota, Lee would have her first of four children (Dale, Michael, Tamara and Douglas). She would be the first to tell you that her greatest joy and accomplishment in life was being a wonderful, caring mother and grandmother. She was always active in school activities for her children and even served two years as the President of the Parent-Teacher Organization for the School Board of Sarasota County Center for Adjustive Education. Lee’s second family was her beloved women’s clubs. She was a founding member of the Golden City Women’s Club in 1962 and served as President from 1973-1975. She was also the Director of District 14 of the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs from 1990-1992 and was a recognized member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) for 58 years. Lee enjoyed many of the same activities as Brad; golfing, boating, cruising with the entire family, watching football, getting together with her “Panera Bread” ladies, but again more than anything she loved getting the whole family together as often as possible for those big family dinners and holidays where she loved to cook.

A beloved couple, parents and grandparents who will be sorely missed, they are survived by four children, six grandchildren, two great grandchildren and Lee’s brother, Robert Sanstock of Bernardston, Massachusetts.