Obituary of Leland Shaw Bradley

Putnam - Leland Shaw Bradley of Putnam, CT and Dade City, Florida passed over on January 1, 2013. He was the husband of Claire (Robitaille) Bradley. They were married June 24, 1943 in Columbus, Ohio and recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. He was the son of the late Leland Wagner Bradley and Lena (Shaw) Bradley. His sister, Mildred Elizabeth Bradley, predeceased him. He leaves a daughter, Cynthia Mildred Bradley and her partner Brian of Pomfret Center, CT and a son, Leland John Bradley and his wife Colleen of Hebron CT. He also leaves four grandchildren, James Michael Bradley and his wife Kenna of Pomfret Center, Matthew Alden Bradley and his partner Jennifer also of Pomfret Center, Jessica Lee Gates and her husband Gregory of Uncasville, Joanne Lee Rawson and her husband Benjamin of Thompson, as well as seven great-grand children. He was a graduate of Putnam High School, class of 1941, and the H.H. Ellis Technical (Aviation) School. Leland also graduated from the Ohio Institute of Aeronautics in Columbus Ohio, the Rhode Island Radio School and the National Radio Institute in Washington D.C. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Connecticut University and his Master of Science Degree from the University of Connecticut. Mr. Bradley was the recipient of three different National Science Foundation Grants to study modern mathematics at Baldwin Wallace College in Cleveland, Ohio and Simmons College in Boston, MA. He also studied mechanical engineering at Roger Williams University in Bristol RI and Shrivenham University in Wilshire, England. Mr. Bradley was employed for several years as a FM licensed aviation specialist with the New England Helicopter Service at Hillsgrove, RI and as a licensed instructor with East Coast Aviation. He was then employed for eight years as an engineer at the Naval Air Station in Quonset Point, RI. For the next twenty-seven years he was a mathematics instructor at the H.H. Ellis Vocational Technical School at Danielson, CT, moving on to Academic Supervisor and Evening School Director. Before retiring, he was the acting Assistant Director of the school. He was also an extension instructor in Education for Central Connecticut State University. He served in World War II as an aircraft engine specialist with the US 8th Air Force Division in Europe, and later as an aviation specialist with the US - British Lend-Lease Office in London, England. Mr. Bradley was a member of the first Putnam Consolidation Committee and was Vice Chairman of the Putnam Zoning Commission for eighteen years. His favorite hobby was travel. He and his wife were very active in the Airstream Trailer/RV Club in which they were officers. They traveled to every state including an eight week stay in Alaska. Their travels took them throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America as well as several lengthy trips to the British Isles. For six weeks they toured ten European countries in their RV. Mr. Bradley was an avid genealogist, having published "The Ancestors of Leland S. Bradley." As a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden of the Mayflower, he became a member of the Mayflower Society and the Alden Kindred of America. He enjoyed local history and was a member of the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam. He also enjoyed music and was a student of the Lowery Organ. He and his wife spent winters at Travelers Rest Resort in Dade City Florida, summers in Brewster on Cape Cod and falls in Vermont. Calling Hours will be Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. The Funeral service will be Monday, January 7, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Living Faith United Methodist Church, 53 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. Burial in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam with military honors. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory to the Living Faith United Methodist Church. To Share a memory with his family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com