Brad Brown

[rjc4243]

  Camella and Henry  sorry for the passing of Brad.

I got to see him when he came shopping to Augusta and we were keeping in touch via email.

If there is anything I can do, Henry please call.

RJ

[Camella Black]

Again thank you for the outpouring of support, we have always counted on our extended family/friends to pull us through. I am reminded as I read these post and emails of a time such a short 20+ years ago when were at Millstone and our "theme" song seemed to be Ben E King's Stand By Me... so many of us have passed on since that time, never did I believe that Brad would be next... as most of you probably realize... Henry is heart broken, I met Brad through him when Brad was a senior in high school and began his first job bagging groceries. Henry was a stock boy and came by to tell Brad he had been hired, later he came for dinner and our 30 year friendship began.

Paula, his wife is heartbroken as well, its seems like just yesterday she asked me if she could marry Brad and they were married here in our home. I was so thankful that he had found love in a good woman.

We will be having visitation at our home 992 Moore Drive, Barnwell SC on Monday, December 28th, 6 to 9. Memorial services will be at Holy Apostles Tuesday, December 29th at 1 pm.

As our number is unlisted you may pm me or email me at camellablack@hotmail.com and I will send you our number or call you.

[ld5030]

Dear Camella this has been a bad years for brothers, I lost mine a few months ago suddenly. My heart and prayers go out to you dear. There is no "good" time to lose a loved one but I know it must be especially difficult during the Christmas season. God Bless you and your family during this difficult and trying time.

Remember the good times and the pain will soon begin to fade away.

LD

[Murphy]

I am terribly sorry to hear about Brad's passing. I regret that my working in the north and midwest had kept us from crossing paths these many years since we last worked together.  Nonetheless, he has had a significant impact on my life, and I still have the native jewelry and drum he had shared with me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  May your overwhelming grief be followed with the peace and comfort of knowing that Brad, now safe with his Maker, is always here with us.

[Mike McFarlin]

Camella,

I am so sorry to hear of Brad's passing. He was such a good person and a lot of fun to be around. We had many a good time in the 80's at Turkey Point. He has had quite a positive influence on a lot of folks lives through the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.He will be missed. Spanky McFarlin

[johnnieslingshot]

Camilla,

I was surprised and saddened when I heard of Brad's passing this morning at work from Gail.  I worked with brad at SRS F tank farm and then again at Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plant.  Although he was quite grumpy at times he always seemed ready to have fun after work.  I will miss his little quirky sayings.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  I will toast Brads life with a shot of Makers Mark tonight.

John Connor

[Dave Warren]

Camella,
           My sincerest prayers go out to you and Henry during this rough time. I was Bradley's supervisor down at the BNFL 3-Building project at Oak Ridge along with Henry. We always argued about politics and everything in general but we always knew it was in fun. Take care of yourselves and keep everything in perspective.

                                                             Dave

[DosiTek]

Camella,

Just opened Nuke Worker and (OMG!) my mouth dropped open!  So sorry to hear about Brad!  Brad was here at Portsmouth for a while and I loved working with him.  My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends. 

  Kime B 

[pappy]

It is always sad to loose someone and especially tough during the holidays. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and for your family. Sorry for your loss.

[Camella Black]

Thank you all for the comments, emails and phone calls. To those that sent flowers and brought food. To those of you that traveled miles to get here, it meant a great deal to all of us as it showed us that Brad counted.

I would love to hear stories of Brad, and yes I know he wasn't a saint... like I said today... He was such a bear, grouchy and grumbly at times and warm, fuzzy and cuddly at others. I will miss him.

Camella

[Camella Black]

I thought I'd post the eulogy that I gave for Brad to share with our nuke family...

First of all I'd like to say that Brad was perhaps the best little brother a girl could ever want... always there and just aggravating enough to make life fun.

Brad came into this world 9 weeks early weighing a mere 4 pounds. Although I was only 3 I remember when Momma brought him home from the  hospital because when she changed his first diaper he christened everything in range including me... needless to say I wanted her to take him back, but she didn't and I am so glad. As he grew up and followed me around, I nicknamed him Boo Boo Bear after Yogi's faithful friend; he called me Gert cause for some reason our dad called me that to pick on me.

Growing up, no one in our neighborhood could play "Army" better than Brad, he had the ability to make a noise that sounded just like a machine gun firing while the rest of us were left to just say "bang, bang"... later as we left childhood behind we turned to bottle rocket wars fought with friends like Pat and Steve in our front yard or even driving down the country roads of Ocala, FL... once Brad accidently lit his shirt on fire when a firecracker came back into the truck and hit the open pack in his shirt pocket.

In 1978 we left Florida behind and moved to South Carolina bringing Pat with us and settling in Barnwell. Here in Barnwell Brad and I made new friends, Kenny, Gary and Owen who was perhaps the best, best friend a guy could have. One of the greatest things Brad ever did for me was apply for a job with Big Star grocery store. One Spring day a young man knocked on our front door to tell Brad he had been hired at Big Star, later Brad brought him home for dinner and a 5 months later Frank and I were married.

I believe that one of the reasons Brad  and I remained so close is that for the past 30 years as he and Frank traveled the country (with me often with them) we roomed together. So in a since we never left home. I gladly cooked and cleaned for him and he helped raise my children who believed that the sun rose and set in their Unc.

Brad and Frank remained friends even after becoming inlaws and they were not ashamed to tell each other that they loved the other. They reminded me of Grumpy Old Men at times as they would often complain that they were kept awake at night by the other one snoring; but if you asked neither would ever admit that they even snored.

A few short years ago, my daughter Beth and I threatened to sign him up for an online dating service as we were tired of him being alone; before we could do it he came to me and said he'd done it himself and had a date that week. Brad wanted to know what he should wear and I said a pink shirt, he always looked good in pink and he wore it well... I'm glad he went on that date and that he met Paula and although they had a brief time together, he was so happy and so was I for he had found someone to love him as much as I did.

This week while looking through old photos I came across a handmade card, just a simple piece of computer paper with drawings and words that Brad wrote to me after a spat we had while working in Maine. It was a silly, dramatic but painful fight resulting in me getting out of the truck and walking away to go in the grocery store... when I came back to the truck I found this note on my seat which said "Sorry we had words, I just wanted to let you know I love you" Brad.

He was such a bear, grouchy and grumbly at times and warm, fuzzy and cuddly at others.

I'll miss you Boo Boo, love Gert.

[mostlyharmless]

I hate it. Brad was a nice man. I had the pleasure of meeting him at srs years ago. Henry I feel for you and Carmella. I have been where you are now. Take care.  Joe

[illegalsmile]

Camella......Henry....I don't know what to say except I'm so sorry. I know I don't need to tell you how much this world has lost. I haven't seen Brad (or you) for years, but I still feel like crying.
Wayne

[ageoldtech]

Camella......Henry....sorry to hear of Brads passing, I still remember the good times we had at turkey point back in the 80's. I haven't worked with him since, but he was one of those guys you just don't forget. My sincere condolences.

Hambone

[Melrose]

We are sooooo very sorry to hear this news.  Brad and I met a few years back and became buds instantaneously.  We frequently hunted relics together, when he worked up here, he went with us to visit the inlaws for dinner on a couple of occassions.  My daughter fell head over heels for him and things he was in to.... folklore, crafts, his drums, jewelry etc.
What a shame such a great hearted person was taken from us.  Of the people we meet, he was truly GOOD people.
Those of you that knew him, I hope you feel lucky... touched, those that didn't, you've really missed out on some really nice memories filled with the gentle, loving personality of Brad 'Bear' Brown.

[Camella Black]

We are sooooo very sorry to hear this news.  Brad and I met a few years back and became buds instantaneously.  We frequently hunted relics together, when he worked up here, he went with us to visit the inlaws for dinner on a couple of occassions.  My daughter fell head over heels for him and things he was in to.... folklore, crafts, his drums, jewelry etc.
What a shame such a great hearted person was taken from us.  Of the people we meet, he was truly GOOD people.
Those of you that knew him, I hope you feel lucky... touched, those that didn't, you've really missed out on some really nice memories filled with the gentle, loving personality of Brad 'Bear' Brown.

Today would have been Brad's 49th birthday... thank you for this wonderful post that described my brother so very well.  To all of you I hope you remember Brad fondly and tell stories of "Bear" much like our family does of Uncle Bill Mahoney.

Although I am still sad and hurt over Brad's death I want to remember that he lived and lived well.. he was crazy and silly and loving and our world is not the same without him... but I know his is wonderful as he is with mom and dad and Jimmy.

[roadhard]

Wow. Just tuned in and found out. My condolences to you, Henry & the family Camilla.

Tom Farrell

BBB - legend of the biz. Entered the IRM rental car into a stock car race and won.

[Camella Black]

Wow. Just tuned in and found out. My condolences to you, Henry & the family Camilla.

Tom Farrell

BBB - legend of the biz. Entered the IRM rental car into a stock car race and won.

I remembered that night; I believe I took photos.

[blackballedsnake]

Sad news indeed...I haven't been online in months...I just noticed. All my best to Camella, Henry, and all of Heza Bear's family. He will be missed...truly.   - Mike "Snake" Shaffer.

[Camella Black]

It seems impossible that Brad has been gone a year... we are holding on and have come to grips with his loss but he is still missed dearly.

[Camella Black]

Just wanted to say thanks once again for all the love you all have sent our way. This thread reminds me that others loved Brad and felt his loss.

Tomorrow would have been Brad's 50th birthday and the next our brother Jim's 60th. I'm glad they are together but some days it gets awfully lonely without them.