Former M/PIFCD Fire Chief Bradley passes away
On Thursday, May 15, former island Fire Chief David Bradley Sr. passed away. He was 70 years old.
Bradley was born on June 14, 1954, at Barksdale Air Force Base, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He lived in Louisiana until 1978, when he moved to Pine Island. After 36 years he moved back, and called Welsh, Louisiana home.
A dedicated member of the island firefighting community for 36 years, he started as a volunteer for the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Department and retired as fire chief in 2014.
Bradley was preceded in death by his parents, Fredrick Richard Bradley and Dolores Ann Lawrence; stepfather, F.G. Lawrence; and brothers, Mike Bradley and Steve Bradley. Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife or 47 years, Gail Bradley; daughter, Amanda (Trent) Duplechin; son, David Paul Bradley Jr.; grandsons, Mason, Creedence and Lawson; brother, Kenny (Melissa) Lawrence; sisters, Ann Hebert and Angie (Lasson) Legros; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
According to current Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Chief Ben Mickuleit, former Chief Bradley was an essential member of the local district, as Mickuleit recalls Bradley’s time and some of his major accomplishments.
“He was a pivotal part of the fire district’s growth and shaped the department for the future. During his time as chief, he accomplished significant milestones, such as opening Station 3 in Bokeelia and purchasing the land for our future Station #4 in Matlacha. His leadership was also crucial in guiding the department through challenging times, notably during Hurricane Charley, just to name a few of his accomplishments.
“Having had the honor of working for him, one main thing always stood out in my conversations with Chief Bradley: his unwavering belief that the community was the most important aspect of our work. His dedication to the residents we serve was evident in everything he did,” Mickuleit said.
M/PIFCD Fire Commissioner John Cammick said of all the things that stand out to him in his time serving as a volunteer fireman under Bradley, he most remembers Bradley’s sense of efficiency and evenhandedness to all who served alongside him.
“When I was a volunteer fireman, he was always very fair to everybody and treated everyone equally,” Cammick said.
Cremation has been entrusted to Miguez Funeral Home.
A memorial gathering was held Saturday May 24, at Miguez Funeral Home in Jennings, Louisiana.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David Bradley Sr., please visit https://www.miguezfuneralhome.com/.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email