Walter Frank Bradford, born June 25, 1932, passed away peacefully at Lions Gate Hospital on February 11, 2010 with his daughters and care aides by his side, after a long battle with Lewy Bodies Dementia. Walter is survived by his daughters Susan Gilmour (John) and Mitzi Bradford (Erik Niemi) and grandchildren Daniel, Jenny and Samantha of North Vancouver. Also survived by his sisters Dorleen Ryman of Summerland, Dawn Nelson of Vernon, June McKinley (Ernie) of Carstairs, Rose Smith of Carstairs, brother Ernie Bradford of Quesnel, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Predeceased by his wife, Shirley, in 2004, Walter missed her a great deal. He was also predeceased by his parents Florence and John, brothers Harold and Ray, and sister Betty Bergen. Dad worked very hard during his life, first as a Logger throughout the BC interior, then as a Logging Contractor for 20 years in Quesnel, and finally retiring in 1981 to his hobby farm in Chase. After 2000 he and Shirley lived briefly in Salmon Arm before relocating to live in North Vancouver to be close to their daughters. Walter loved the outdoors and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and various pets. He will be sadly missed by all of us and remembered as our hard working, gentle, kind and loving father and grandfather.
There will be a memorial on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 2916 Bushnell Place, North Vancouver (604) 987-8597. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Dad’s memory to Foster Parents Plan or Lions Gate Hospital Palliative Care. Our family would like to thank Eileen and Moreen Alipit for all their help over the last few years with Dad, as well as Dr. Montemuro, Dr. Sugar, Kim Sinclair of Vancouver Coastal Health Services, and the many nurses who came to our home to help over the years. They made it possible to keep Dad at home throughout his battle with this debilitating disease.