Bradford "Brad" Jay Lake

Brad is survived by his mother, Karen (Tom) Whalen of Hampstead NC; father, Ronald Lake of Coldwater MI; sister, Jessica (Mark) Wright of Portland OR, nephew and niece, Jackson and Lucille; Grandmother, Patricia Carter of Richmond KY, as well as girlfriend, Kayla Mccortie and children Alana, Gabe, and Ryan.

Brad was born in Battle Creek, MI. He has also resided in Arizona, Tennessee, California, and for the past several years has called Hampstead, NC home.

Brad graduated high school from Marshall High School, MI and later graduated from The Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Phoenix AZ. He wasted no time putting his training to use in the motorcycle industry, later turning his attention to servicing boats through his own mobile boat repair business currently known as Offshore Marine. As his interests grew, he joined the staff of Cape Fear Catamaran in Wilmington NC where he proudly played a key role in constructing some of the most beautiful catamarans on the sea.

When Brad was not working, he could be found miles out at sea fishing for Wahoo and Tuna, always searching for the “big one.” Fishing was his passion from an early age, so much so that almost every childhood photo shows him holding a prized catch (whether it be a frog, a lizard, or a fish).

Anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting Brad would say that he was loving, giving, and always full of jokes. What most did not know was that every day was a struggle for him. He was a recovering opiate addict. While his family will forever be proud of the way he fought to stay sober, he succumbed to his addiction this last Tuesday. Too tired to arm wrestle his illness any longer, he gave in and gave up.

Because nobody should ever have to suffer this illness or the loss of a loved one in this fashion, his family hopes that Brad’s death will serve as yet another rallying call for mental health and substance abuse advocacy and reform. For that reason, we encourage those wishing to send condolences to do so by contributing to the Brad Lake Scholarship fund that his sister is establishing with the Coleman Institute, known for its treatment of opioid and benzodiazepines addiction. Non tax-deductible donations may be made through Venmo, handle @Jessica-Wright-52, verification code 0994. For an alternative form of donation, please contact Jessica directly.

Before judging someone, please remember – the habitual looks out good but often finds necessity only.