Obituary of Barry Ervin Bradford

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of Barry E. Bradford. 

Barry was born to Jean and Brad Bradford in North Bay, the second son and beloved brother of William “Billy” Bradford. He spent his childhood in North Bay, creating life-long friendships and bonds that continue to this day. In 1966 he married the love of his life, Laurie Bradford (nee: Cooley).  

Barry achieved a diploma from Northern College in the Mechanical Technology program and started his family. Recognizing his engineering potential, they then moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario where he obtained his mechanical engineering degree from Lakehead University. Barry had a successful engineering career which included projects in New Brunswick, Indonesia, Goderich, USA and Northern Ontario. Barry was known in his profession as a skilled and resolute engineer. He was a loving family man and worked hard to provide for his family. His passions included playing guitar, being a licensed pilot, fishing, fixing just about anything and helping anyone who needed it. He spent much of his personal time and summers with friends and family on Lake Temagami, where he built his dream log home. A known avid angler, who at an early age learned the art of steel line fishing he continued to perfect the art on Lake Temagami. He was always eager to share this knowledge with anyone willing to try and while patiently fixing many tangled fishing lines, navigating his “secret runs”, he proudly netted the fish of the many he taught. He always claimed that he was, “taught by the best”, referring to his wife and most faithful fishing partner, Laurie Senior. 

Barry is survived by his brother Billy (Mary-Jane) Bradford, his nephews Tim and Todd Bradford adoring wife, Laurie Bradford (nee: Cooley), three daughters: Nancy (Mark) Bradshaw, Laurie Bradford Jr. (John Lee), and Julie Bradford (Darren Miller). Barry was an immensely proud grandfather to his four grandchildren Emily, Jo, Anthony, and Emilio. 

A celebration of life will take place at the Best Western North Bay Hotel and Conference Centre (Ontario Room) 700 Lakeshore Drive 705-474-5800 on Saturday May 18th 2024 from 1-5pm, light lunch and refreshments will be served.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barry’s memory to “Phoebe Rose Rocks”. Donations can be made with the link below - choose “Phoebe Rose Rocks” at the drop-down menu of the Kindred Foundation which is a foundation that directly funds childhood cancer research a cause that was close to Barry’s heart. www.kindredfoundation.ca