MSGR. PAUL F. BRADLEY - OBITUARY

May 13, 1914 - July 5, 2005

Bradley, Right Reverend Monsignor Paul F.

Right Reverend Monsignor Paul F. Bradley, age 91, retired Pastor of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, West End, Long Branch, NJ died July 5, 2005 at home. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and he was ordained on June 7, 1941. Shortly after his Ordination, he was commissioned in the United States Navy and served his country for 26 years. As a Navy Chaplain, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and Vietnam. During WWII, he was attached to the 28th Regiment of the 5th Marine Division that raised the Flag on Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in Iwo Jima, and the Bronze Star for outstanding bravery. Before retiring from the U.S. Navy, he completed two tours of duty in Vietnam. While on active duty with the Navy, he was elevated to Domestic Prelate on May 16, 1966, with the Title of Right Revered Monsignor. He was appointed Pastor at St. Michael's Church on November 22, 1969. While at St. Michael's, he received the following awards: Brotherhood Medal Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1973; the Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award in 1974-75; Man of the Year Award from the City of Long Branch in 1974; Golden Deed Award in 1978; Citation of Well-Done from the State Assembly of New Jersey for outstanding performance in the area of spiritual and civic accomplishments in 1985. He retired from St. Michael's on July 7, 1989. The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders paid tribute to him by declaring July 2, 1989, as the Right Revered Monsignor Paul F. Bradley Day in Monmouth County. Similarly, the Mayor and Council of Long Branch honored him in proclaiming July 2, 1989, as Monsignor Paul F. Bradley Day. On May 11, 1990, he became the first Roman Catholic Priest to be inducted into the Kings Circle by the Christus Rex Foundation. One June 14, 1990, the New Jersey Assembly honored him with an Assembly Resolution for his nearly 5 decades of active priesthood.

Since his retirement, he has been a weekend assistant at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Long Branch. He was also former Board of Director at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch and Chaplain for Knights of Columbus, Long Branch.

He was predeceased by his brother, Rev. William J. Bradley, who died on Sept. 23, 1971 and his sister, Sr. Regina Margaret, (member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, LI, NY) who died on Nov. 14, 1999. He is survived by several cousins.

Visitation will be held at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Morris Ave., Long Branch on Thursday, from 3:30 - 7:30 pm followed by a Votive Mass of the Holy Eucharist. Visitation will also be held on Friday, July 8, at Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church, Second and Chelsea Aves., Long Branch from 3:30 - 7:30 pm followed by a Votive Mass of Jesus Christ the High Priest. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 9, at St. Michael's R.C. Church, Ocean Ave., West End, Long Branch, at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Cemetery of the Holy Cross, Brooklyn, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be The Monsignor Paul F. Bradley Nursing Research Award, c/o Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch.

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