Ray Bradley, a resident of Pacific Palisades since 1972, died peacefully in his sleep on January 1, just three days before his 91st birthday. Ray was born at home in Brooklyn, New York, on January 4, 1914. He was educated at the local Catholic elementary school, attended St. James High School and graduated in January 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression. It took him two years to find employment and during this time he learned the art of cooking from his mother and aunt. His first job was at Acme Fast Freight in New York, where he earned $12 per week. He met Emily Farina at Acme and they were married on October 18, 1941. The United States entered World War II two months later, and Ray was soon drafted into the Army. He served locally and in Europe. After he was discharged, the couple was blessed with twin boys, Ray Jr. and Gregory, in late 1946. Ten years later their daughter, Debbie, was born. Ray continued to work in the freight forwarding profession and for much of their careers he and Emily worked for the same company. In the late ’60s, they visited Ray Jr. in San Diego, where he was serving in the Navy. After another visit, they felt that they had had enough of the snow and ice of New York and in 1972 they both transferred to the Los Angeles office. They immediately bought their Tahitian Terrace mobile home and lived there the rest of their lives. After Ray retired, he joined Alcoholics Anonymous on September 13, 1974. At that time there was only one meeting in the Palisades; now there are 20. He was responsible for starting at least five evening meetings. He was a generous and caring member, baking cakes almost every week to celebrate the birthdays of his friends. He also was a truly devoted sponsor and mentor to many fellow AA members. At 90, Ray was the oldest active member in the Palisades, still attending four or five meetings a week at the time of his death. Ray was a fixture at daily mass at Corpus Christi Church. It was his strong faith that enabled him to accept his trials and tribulations. He was also an avid golfer, usually playing three times per week until his failing eyesight prevented him from seeing the ball. He loved to attend Dodger games and often went with Father Rucker, the former pastor at Corpus Christi. In 1999, when Ray’s wife Emily became ill, he cared for her at home with patience and dignity until her death on January 3, 2001. He was extremely devoted to his daughter Debbie and her husband, Greg Schem, and their three children: Jessica, 13, Michael, 11, and Melissa, 8’all of whom attend Corpus Christi School. In the last few years he spent much of his time with them. His help with the children on their homework was invaluable, as he always prided himself on his spelling and arithmetic ability. Other survivors include Ray’s two sons, Greg of New York (wife Mary) and Ray Jr. of Marysville, California; and grandchildren Paul, Elissa, Patrick, Patty and Buzzy. According to 11-year-old Michael Schem, Ray played with Debbie’s family all day New Year’s Eve, played with his AA friends that evening, went to bed, and woke up in heaven with Grandma on New Year’s Day. Funeral services were held at Corpus Christi on January 8. Memorial donations can be made to Corpus Christi Church or school, or Acoholic Anonymous Pacific Palisades.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
