On Saturday morning, I received a message from my wife asking me to call Jerry Brindisi right away. Like a call in the middle of the night, these are usually reserved for bad news.  This too, sadly, was the case now. Jerry let me know that Joe Bradley, one of the stalworths of Lighthouse Soccer Club, our friend,  passed away suddenly that morning and of all places, at  a soccer tournament in Bethesda, Maryland. He was there with his best friend, his son Ryan.

You did not need to know Joe to know who Joe was. He was a man's man, who wore his Fishtown roots on his sleeve.  Truth be told though, Joe was a softy.  His heart was the biggest part of this body. 

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia and three young children:  Ryan (15),  Erin (8) and Kevin (4).  As great a man as he was to his players, he was a better father and husband. Our hearts and prayers go out to each of them. Joe also had an extended family, Joe might not have used this term but that is what they are pure and simple, defacto sons to say it another way. He was the father they did not have and the male influence that they sorely needed. They needed his love and he gave it to them unconditionally. It was a Joe Bradley that not many saw but this was the real Joe Bradley.

I can go on and extol Joe's virtues but if he was next to me right now, he would be towering over me and telling me not to write about him. He would be asking me, no, telling me, how can we help the kids.  Never his kids mind you, Joe never asked for anything, all he did was give.

It seems it is always the good people that go first and I doubt anyone would argue that Joe was not one of the good guys, better yet, one of the great guys.  Joe will be missed by his kids, his wife, his extended family and the soccer community. I am proud to say, Joe was my friend. I miss him already.

BRADLEY
JOSEPH J., on Nov. 21, 2009. Beloved husband of Cynthia (nee Montgomery), devoted father of Ryan, Erin and Kevin, loving son of Joseph and Kathleen (nee Limper), dear brother of James and Michael, sadly missed by his mother-in-law Thelma Montgomery, his brothers and sisters in law and nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass Wednesday 10:30 A.M. Holy Name of Jesus Church, 701 E. Gaul St. Phila. PA 19125, where his viewing will begin at 9:30 A.M. Viewing also Tuesday evening 6 to 8 P.M. in Church. Int. private. Joe had a love of soccer and is family is requesting donations in his memory to Lighthouse Soccer Club, PO Box 11562, Phila. PA 19116.

HUBERT M. McBRIDE F.H.