Keith A. Bradley, Sr.

Keith's Eulogy:

Good morning. Wow, amazing all the people here today and all the love in this Church. I can hear Keith saying 

“Now it’s a Party”. 

For those of you who don’t know me…I think you are the lucky ones, but my name is Bruce Bradley Jr., Keith’s older brother. As you can imagine this is very tough for me to be up here today and talk about my brother so please bear with me.

On behalf of the Bradley family we would to thank you for coming here this morning to mourn our loss, but more importantly, to celebrate Keith’s life.

If you knew Keith or “Kooter as he was known, you know he was a loving caring person who loved life and everyone in it; and that he lived it to its fullest every day. To know Keith was to love Keith and he would love you back.

It’s ok to be sad today but please be happy you knew him. He would not want us to be sad for too long; and it’s ok to cry, but please laugh at all the funny times you had with him because he would not want to cry too much either. He had no hate in his body; he wanted everyone to love each other like he loved you.

Keith loved to have fun and was normally the life of the party and couldn’t help but share that contagious smile he had.  He was a good friend to many, and a great father, grandfather, brother and son….but maybe needed some work on being a better husband which Kathy and Bari can attest to.

He was the best OPA to his grandchildren and as you saw last night and today Keith has a big family and a lot of friends, and with Gods help we will be Bradley Strong during this time and make Keith proud of all of us. 

To his friends; he loved everyone in his own way and did not take sides or hold grudges. We thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, love and support and without you we would not be able to carry on today, so thank you.

To his Andantex co-workers; he loved all you guys the same. It didn’t matter who you were, what department you worked in, Management or not. In Keith’s eyes we were all together a TEAM.

To his Eatontown Elks brothers & sisters; what can I say, he loved going to the Elks, or any Elks, and loved everyone especially Karen, Rae Rae, Amie and Kelly from his Lodge 2402 and Ginger, Patti, Sue, Kim and Mary from the Long Branch Elks. Recently I took him to the Lacey Elks and of course within 5 minutes he had everyone loving him. He was always one to buy drinks give out lottery tickets, play cardboard pull tickets, buy raffles, get in any pool even if he didn’t know what the pool was for and tell a funny story or two. He would give you the skin off his back.

Keith liked the Backstreet boys and loved to dance by himself….so with that, I don’t know if we really had the same DNA.

To his golf buddies; the first tee will never be the same and surly not the 19th hole; no more clubs will be thrown in your direction from Keith. He loved your golf trips especially the ones to Ocean City, MD and Myrtle Beach where he was "A legend in room 202”.

Keith was not perfect, like any of, but he could be a bit of a sore loser.  Early in our childhood we would play games and if he was losing he would call for a do over because he did not like losing at all. There were a lot of do overs.  One day my Dad asked Keith to play in a father son golf outing at Old Orchard, which he was thrilled to do. Well on the second hole Keith duck hooked 2 drives onto Highway 36 out of bounds then chunked a few shots and shanked one and then 3 putted. When he got in the golf cart my father asked him what he shot on that hole. Keith said sorry dad I shot a 9 and my father, as honest as the day is long, replied “9 no way you had a 12” and they were on the same team. Needless to say they went on to lose the match. 

Alone....

Keith did not like being alone and recently moved into his own place in Long Branch. He would always ask family and friends over for a bite to eat and some drinks to watch a game, or go nearby to Kristen and Lester’s house for dinner on Wednesday’s. If not there, he would go to the Elks or his old stomping ground, Charley’s, nearby. Like I said he did not like being alone but don’t worry dear brother you are not alone anymore because you are now with Dad, Peter, Uncle Red and Aunt Carol, Me Mom and Pop Pop, Gram,  Uncle Phil, Big Joe and Tom McHugh, and good friends Billy & Val, Joe Centenni, Keith Daly and his best friend Larry Jock. After a brief tongue lashing from Dad and the group, I’m sure he is out playing golf on lush fairways and smooth greens with the wind behind his back and the sun never in his eyes again making birdies all day long.  

To his kids and grandkids; he loved you very much and always worried about you and loved your children. Cherish all the fun, happy times you had with him.

To Kathy and Bari; I know he loved you he just had a crazy way of showing it. 

To my sisters Donna; I’m sorry I told him to throw you off the porch playing King of the Hill and broke your leg when you were four and Debi I’m sorry he threw that bell and hit you in the head needing stitches. I will try to be a better brother in his absence.

And mom; I wish I was a better brother, but I promise you I will be a better son and take care of you and protect you and make you happy for the rest of your life.

Keith wasn’t afraid of too many things or people but he was afraid of you but always thought a few bottles of Kendall Jackson would get him out of the doghouse... Giddy up. 

To my brother; I will miss you, I love you and I will never forget you. We had a good run that was just cut to short. I will see you again someday.

Thank You --- Shout Outs  

To Father Mike and Precious Blood Church, thank you for the beautiful Mass and the Cantor for the beautiful music. 

To Buddy & Diane Damiano and your team, thank you for making this easier for our family to handle.

To the Long Branch and Monmouth Beach Police & Mayor Stickle, we thank you for all your help.

To Ed Hennelly and Mike Anthony, thank you for being there with me and my family on the dreadful day.

Thank you to the Eatontown Elks 2402 for their lovely service last night and

to all the people that sent flowers, food, beverages and kind words.

Vito Polentino, thank you for your nice comforting text messages every day and to

Ed Moro for always being there for me with your kind, generous, funny ways.  

Thank you Sharan & Gerald for being the best neighbors anyone could wish for and to Mario & Kelly for being like a brother and sister to us.

Allen & Linda, thank you for always being there for me and my family during the good and the bad times; and to Jeff and Lynn Myskowski for being there every day to talk to me, tell funny stories about Keith, and lend a shoulder to cry on.

And last but surely not least to my wife, kids, sons-in-law and little, smart, cute Peyton; thank you for being there to pick me up when I wanted to fall. I love you.

To all of you here today we thank you for all your love, thoughts, prayers and support. We hear and feel you and we are all smarter, tougher, stronger and better together because of you.

If you are lucky enough to have a brother or sister still with you today, make sure to reach out and tell them how much you love them. Life is precious, life is kind, but it can be gone in an instant like Keith.

Please stand and raise your right hand with the Bradley Strong wrist band and after my last words are over please say “Boom Chimmy” which was one of Keith’s favorite sayings.

The sun will still rise in the morning but it won’t be as bright, and will set tomorrow night but will be a little darker without Keith.

They say the Lord works in mysterious ways and will take us all someday, one by one, but he got a real good one today. May the lord give us strength and take good care of Keith and bless him and may he Rest In Peace until we see him again one day. 

Thank you & God bless all of us -- BOOM Chimmy!!!!

Amen

Obituary

On Saturday, December 4, 2021, Keith A. Bradley Sr., passed away at the age of 62. Keith was born in Monmouth Beach and raised his family in Ocean Township, NJ. He graduated from Shore Regional and attended Kean University where he was a star athlete. 

Keith was a member of the Eatontown Elks. He was a purchasing Manager at Andantex USA Inc. for 39 years. Keith had a passion for life; you could find him at the center of every dance floor, bringing everyone around him closer together. He was a lifelong Mets fan and never missed a sporting event for his children or grandchildren. Keith was known for his generous heart, contagious smile, and loving spirit. 

Keith was predeceased by his father Bruce A. Bradley, Sr. He is survived by his family whom he loved with all his heart. They included his four children; Keith Bradley, Jr. and his wife Mallory; Jillian Werner and her husband Ronald, and their mother Kathleen Kivior-Bradley; Scott Bradley, Bette Bradley, and their mother Bari Lynne Bradley; his mother, Rita Bradley; his three siblings; brother, Bruce Bradley Jr. and his wife Mary Ann; sisters, Debra Connor and her husband William, and Donna West; five grandchildren, Ronald “Trey” Werner III,  Blakely Werner, Aubrey Werner, Hunter Werner, and Avery Bradley, as well as his many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Relatives and friends are invited to the memorial gathering on Monday, December 13th from 4-8 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Ave. in Long Branch. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday December 14th at 10:30 am at The Church of the Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Second Chance K9: https://www.secondchancek9.com. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.

For the safety of all, face masks are required to be worn inside our facility.

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