David R. Bradley

David R. Bradley, 67, of New Cumberland, beloved husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to so many, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024 surrounded by his family and friends at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital.

Dave was born in Danville on September 11, 1957, a son of the late Albert Jr. and Margaret Mary (Landy) Bradley.

He graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School in 1975 and starred as a defensive back on the undefeated 1974 Eastern Conference co-championship football team. Dave – whose tongue-in-cheek high school nickname was “The Professor” for his scholarly look when he was wearing glasses – was a gridiron genius. He devoured Coach Michael Klembara’s detailed scouting reports and could call out the play that an opposing offense was planning to run as soon as that team lined up. More than once, an opposing team called timeout when Dave shouted the play they planned to run. Three times in the 1975 season, Dave was named the Lourdes defensive player of the game – tops on a team full of rugged defensive players. This was written after the Mount Carmel game: “Dave Bradley was all over, making and assisting in tackles so many times that spectators were beginning to think the announcer had a one-man team roster in front of him.”

On June 8, 1985 he married Joanne Mack in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Shamokin. Dave and Joanne would have been married 40 years this coming June. They honeymooned in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and made many return trips over the years. They enjoyed many visits to Bethany Beach, Delaware and made a memorable trip to Hawaii. They also traveled to Ireland for their 20th Anniversary and renewed their wedding vows in Dublin. One of the highlights of each year was the annual trip to their cousin Mary Anne and Cort Vitty’s home in Davidsonville, Maryland, for the family reunion/crab fest celebration.

Dave worked for many years for his good friend Tony Varano at DSG, Inc., the Malvern-based software company that Tony founded. Dave and Tony had been friends since kindergarten, and Dave was very proud of his work at DSG.

Dave had many passions in life, but two of his main ones were his friends at The Brewhouse Grille in Camp Hill and Notre Dame football. Dave was the “Norm” of the Brewhouse. When he walked in the door, everyone called out to him and was so happy to see him, as he was to see them.

He is leaving behind many good friends from the Brewhouse --in particular Bob Marchand, Mary Dougherty, Ralph Winters and all the bartenders and staff. He was also extremely passionate about Notre Dame football, as anyone who ever watched a game with him can attest. Dave and Joanne made many “pilgrimages” to Notre Dame over the years and he leaves behind lots of good friends at the Linebacker Lounge in South Bend.

Dave also had a unique and unbreakable bond with his teammates and friends from high school. Even though over the years the guys had spread out to all areas of the country, they never missed an opportunity to get back together, have a few cold ones, and re-tell “war stories.” Special shout-outs to teammates Tom “Juice” Letcavage, Cyril Zaneski, Bob Klacik, George Nagle, Dino Rovito, Jim Madden, Bob Oberosler, Steve Laukitis, Jim Leavens, John Terry, Dave Ososkie, and Marty DeFrancesco. And more shoutouts to friends Joe Brokus, Mike Nagle, Marty Bolick and many others too numerous to mention. Dave was a member of the St. Francis Home Association and Friendship Fire Company in Shamokin and was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was of the Catholic faith and was a member of Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in New Cumberland.

In addition to his wife Joanne, Dave is survived by his brother Tom and his wife Lisa of Elysburg; sisters-in-law Susan and her husband Mike Dubb of Delaware, Mary Beth and her husband Mark Andrews of Virginia, Judy Fenix of Elysburg, and Nancy and her husband Simon Lorady of Den Mar Gardens; nieces and nephews Breanna Echelmeier (Dave), Timothy Bradley (Liz), Tamara Snyder (BJ), Jessica Rollo (Rich), Amy Goodman (Kenny), Jennifer Flynn (TJ), Kathy Andrews and friend Cam Richardson, Stephen Andrews (Carrie), Cameron Fenix, and Connor Fenix; great nieces and nephews Eily and Mac Echelmeier, Liam and Rory Bradley, Noah, Cameron, and Tripp Snyder, Martha and Millie Rollo, Brayden and Leah Goodman, Sarah, Liam, and Emily Flynn, and Maya Andrews; his Landy cousins and Mary Anne Vitty; and his faithful companion, Sam.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Jr. and Margaret Mary Bradley, his in-laws Joe and Betty Mack, and his faithful companions Shamrock and K.C.

 Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30am Friday, November 15, 2024 at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11am at St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested (in honor of David) to Lower Allen Twp. Fire or EMS, made payable to Lower Allen Twp., 2233 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011-7302: please note Fire or EMS in the memo section or PA Caring for K-9’s, 4210 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17109.