Geoffrey Bradley (8 Nov 1929 - 1 Jun 2020)

Geoff (Dad or Grandad) first came into this world on 8th November 1929, a son to Mabel and Harold Bradley. As a child he lived on Madison Avenue, Chaddesden and attended the local Derwent School up until the time he started work in 1944, at age 14, at Newton Brothers Limited as an apprentice electrician.

At age 18 he was released for National Service and spent 2 years in the army. For some of that time he was based in Germany where he learned to maintain and to drive army vehicles. After National Service he returned to Newton Brothers to complete his apprenticeship.

In 1957 he left Newton Brothers and went to work for British Rail Locomotive works as a maintenance electrician. Dad retired from British Rail in about 1985 but did not put his feet up. He used his many skills to good effect by working for the local doctor’s surgery doing their painting, decorating, plumbing and electrical work. He also generated a large clientele of friends wanting decorating and gardening doing.

But Geoff was more than just the sum of his working career. During his time at Newton Brother’s Geoff met his future wife Jean. They were married on 20th March 1954 at Boulton St Mary’s church in Alvaston. He would be blessed with 3 children, Graham, Keith and Gail, In the passage of time he would be introduced to his daughters-in-law and sons-in-law and become a grandfather to Gemma, Natalie, James, Laura, Dominic, Brandon and Yasmin and a great grandfather to Bradley, Harper, Olivia and Ella.

Throughout his life Geoff was hard working and loyal to his friends. He was a calm and loving family man who would always be there to help family and friends out, particularly in a practical way using his seemingly endless set of practical skills.

Geoff had a brilliant mind to be able to assess any problem and then solve it. Although Geoff was quite a shy reserved person, he was more than happy being in the background doing the things he was best at, and the things he was best at were limitless.

In loving memory of Geoffrey Bradley who sadly passed away on 1st June 2020, aged 90 years.