Peter M. Bradford

Peter Martin Bradford, 77, of Gorham passed away suddenly on Tuesday June 23, 2015 at the Androscoggin Valley Hospital. He was born in Bridgeport, CT in 1938, to Edward and Cecile Isola Bradford, the youngest of four brothers and three sisters. Peter graduated from Stratford High School in 1956. He served with the US Navy on the E.A. Greene (DDR) as a Machinists Mate (MM3) with his best friends Edward Buzz Hedden and Robert E. Landis and was honorably discharged. Peter worked most of his life in the fields of maintenance and health care. He worked mostly with epoxy encapsulation and electrical assembly and repair at US Electric Motors in Milford, CT, before moving to NH. At New Hampshire Ball Bearing in Peterborough, he was an Engineering Technician with his boss and friend David Boothby. At Monadnock Lifetime Products, he was a foreman of the production of the PR-24 police nightstick adopted and used by the NH State Police Department. At Monadnock Community Hospital, Peter was in charge of the Preventive Maintenance Program, including his role of Boiler Operator. Later, he was Sexton at Trinity Evangelical Church in charge of maintenance in the sanctuary and Sunday School. The children used to throw themselves into his arms for hugs and words of loving encouragement. Peter was Jack-of-all-trades, working in maintenance independently, for the Millard Group, Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, and Franklin Pierce College, the last place with his beloved boss Russ Colby and best buddy Al Perry. At this time, Peter volunteered as an EMT with the first Peterborough Ambulance and then the Jaffrey Ambulance for 9 years. He also returned to Monadnock Community Hospital as a health transporter and worker in the Emergency Room. When he retired to Gorham, he worked part time as a driver for the Berlin City Auto Group. Peter was first and foremost a man who loved people and gently shared his strong faith in word and deed. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He had many close, dear friends who cherished his sense of humor and loving care. He loved seeking Christ on the mountaintop, whether it was the Mount Washington or Mount Manadnock, the latter of which he hiked three times a week year round for several years. He also loved camping and canoeing with his buddy Bill Hood et.al. down the St. johns and Penobscot Rivers in Maine. Peter loved fishing and reading but, most of all helping others. Peter is survived by his wife Amanda (Mandy) of 37 years; his son Jay Bradford and three grandchildren Michael, Ashley and Tyler in the Peterborough area; sister Jane G. Bradford in Stratford, CT; sister-in-law Joanna Harrison and husband Bill of San Antonio, TX; brother-in-law Joseph Trask of Jamison, PA; sister in-law Shirley Gates-Rector in Vernon-Rockville, CT, many nieces and nephews.; and many dear, beloved friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday July 18th, 2015, at the Gorham Congregational Church at 2 PM. The Rev. William B. Jones will preside, with the Rev. John Russell giving the eulogy and pianist Debbie Bernd providing the music. The Bryant Funeral Home in Gorham, NH is in charge of the arrangements.