Paul Joseph Bradley

Paul Joseph Bradley died on January 14, 2023, at Inova Alexandria Hospital, surrounded by his family.

He was born on May 16, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Paul Richard and Patricia Marie (O’Neill) Bradley. Paul grew up in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, with his three sisters and was the second oldest of four children.

Paul graduated from Malvern Preparatory School in 1979 and, less than a year later, enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 3, 1980. He deployed to the USS Independence as an Aviation Machinists Mate and Airman Apprentice during Reagan’s presidency. The aircraft carrier, Independence, provided critical support to the Iran-Iraq War and the Invasion of Grenada. Paul was awarded a Letter of Commendation for his service and honorably discharged from the Navy in January of 1983. He continued to serve as a Reservist until January 1986.

After his military service, Paul pursued his career as an aircraft mechanic and graduated from Quaker City School of Aeronautics in 1984. A career totaling over forty years, including more than twenty years working for United Airlines before he retired. He always said, “you’ll never work a day in your life if you do what you love,” and he loved his job.

Paul tinkered with and repaired many boat engines and motorcycles over the years and enjoyed them recreationally—every year, Paul participated in Washington D.C.’s Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally to honor military veterans. His family would describe him as a jokester who loved a good laugh, and he could make a friend anywhere he went.

He was a loving father of two daughters, the oldest, Katie, lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the younger, Kelly, lives in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Both have fond memories of their childhood visiting aviation museums and behind-the-scenes tours of United’s operations, and as they got older, no matter what, Dad was always just a phone call away.

Survivors include his daughters, mother, and three sisters (Patricia “Trish” Ann, Carolyn Gale, and Kathleen “Kathy” Marie) with their spouses and children.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Richard Bradley.

Paul will be honored with a military burial at the South Florida National Cemetery in February, his ashes will be buried near his father’s memorial.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org).