Steven Lloyd Bradley
Steven Lloyd Bradley, also known by his nickname “Bradly” (pronounced Braid-lee), passed away peacefully at his home on April 11, 2025 in Dwight, Ontario after a short and sudden illness at the age of 67. A one-of-a-kind husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Steve was born February 8, 1958 in Huntsville, Ontario. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Debbie (Martin) Bradley and children Stefanie Bradley and Dustin (Nicole) Bradley. An adored Papa to his three grandchildren, Leah, Mya, and Jaxon (“Buck”) Bradley.
Son of the late Lloyd Bradley & Eileen (Aelick) Bradley Barnhart and stepson to Neil Barnhart. Little brother to Sandra East and Jan McClentic, and step-brother to Jane (Moe) Misener, Bob (Sue) Barnhart, Tom (Julie) Barnhart. Uncle to Melissa (David), Andrea (Chris), Erica (Chad), Laura (Douglas), Melissa (Joey), Adam (Carrie) and Tanya. Son-in-law of the late Ernie & June Martin. Brother-in-law to Donna (Rick) Sidey and Dianne (John) Terry. Uncle to Pamela (Patrick), Alex, Richy, Chris (Chelsey), and Caitlin (Matt).
Steve was a Dwight boy, through and through. In his younger years, Steve was involved in many community events such as the Christmas Day Road Hockey, Cornfest at Hunter’s Bridge, Oxtongue River Rally, St. Patrick’s Winter Carnival, Da-wight Sox Baseball, Huntsville Minor Hockey and the Beer League. Steve was an avid snowmobiler, and loved ice fishing in his hut on Dwight Bay. A lifelong Bobby Orr and Boston Bruins fan, he didn’t hesitate to make a bet. He was sentimental and nostalgic; he cherished classic cars and machines such as his 1969 Cougar, his 1978 black Ford (the Great Pumpkin), his 1990 Big Bear, his Rupp, and his mint 1972 Nordic.
Steve met Debbie when they were only 17 years old. From the fortuitous meeting at Pine Grove Inn, they built a marriage, a home, and a family. Despite his relentless kibitzing in jest, Debbie was the love of Steve’s life. He took great pride in taking care of his family and they meant the world to him. Steve loved his children and they had a very close relationship. He was involved, supportive, and proud of every accomplishment of both Stef and Dusty, and developed a special friendship with his daughter-in-law, Nicole. Dustin was his best friend, his right-hand man, and his carbon copy. Steve met his match with Stef’s stubbornness and independence and always kept her true to her rural roots. Steve loved being “Paw Paw”--visits with his grandkids were always full of pranks, smiles, catching frogs and wrestling.
Steve was a self-employed carpenter and made every effort to not leave the boundaries of Dwight for any reason. He was a hard and conscientious worker who took pride in the quality and fairness of his projects. His customers adored him, his kindness and frankness, despite his lack of filter. He easily worked his way into everyone’s hearts with his humility and small town, down-to-earth view of the world. The Bradley family home, which Steve built from the ground up and moved into when Stef was 6 months old, became a lifelong project between other jobs. His home and his family were his pride and joy. If you ever needed a vintage fuse, parts for a sump pump, or a soldered piece of recycled flashing, Bradly’s workshop remains an organized chaos worth enshrining.
Bradly was a cherished lifelong friend to many people around Dwight, and his absence will be felt deeply by the many lives he touched. He was loyal, generous, authentic, and had a unique
personality that shined with humour, candour, and creativity (if you’ve ever seen his eye-Pad, you know). He led by example with common sense and was warm and kind, but he didn’t suffer fools lightly. He held a black belt in sarcasm, and had no shortage of inappropriate jokes. He lived his life exactly the way he wanted to live it with very little deviation, and could not be persuaded to change his routine or opinion for anyone.
Steve was a private person, and his family knew a slightly different man at home. He was a content homebody; a creature of habit; early to rise and early to bed. He lived a lot of his life in chronic pain and was stoic and tough about it. He loved to read true crime and history, had an extensive collection of war history books, struggled to operate any electronics or modern inventions, regularly invented words, and was known to dance to Steppenwolf’s Magic Carpet Ride in the kitchen. He ate virtually the same dinner every night, insisted on brand name Heinz Ketchup, ate his meat more than well done, considered black pepper a spice, and couldn't live without Libby’s deep-browned beans. Over the years, the beer in his hand evolved from O’Keefe, to Labatt 50, to Blue.
Bradly was an avid outdoorsman for his entire life, and was especially passionate about hunting. He was a founding member and Camp Captain of his hunt camp, Run-A-Muck. The camp was his happy place where he cherished quiet time in the woods and the rowdy nights joking around with his best friends. Bradly was passionate about passing down the legacy, culture and traditions of camp life to future generations. He actively involved his children and grandchildren in the hunt camp from the time they could walk, instilling in them the values of the outdoors, hunting ethics, and time together. Run-A-Muck celebrates 50 years in 2025, and Bradly will be with us in spirit for the 50th hunt. As he would say, “Can’t beat a camp!”
Steve and his family are grateful for the exceptional care and compassion from the Algonquin Health Services, Huntsville Hospital emergency & intensive care unit doctors and nurses received over his final days. Steve is resting at Mitchell Funeral Home in Huntsville awaiting a private interment at Dwight Union Cemetery (Stewart Memorial United Church).
Steve’s family will be hosting a celebration of life at the Dwight Community Center on Saturday May 24, 2025 from 3pm to 10pm. Everyone is welcome.
In lieu of flowers, Steve’s family has established a non-profit “Run-A-Muck Fund,” which will continue Steve’s legacy by sponsoring the costs for local youth to get their Hunter Safety and Firearms Acquisition License. Donations and requests for information can be sent to runamuckfund@gmail.com.