Obituary of Richard Wayne Bradford

Richard Wayne Bradford Richard Wayne " Nip" Bradford passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, August 6, 2017 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Nip was born in Cranbrook, BC as one of 8 children to Marna "Tex" and Gertrude Bradford and grew up in the Blarchmont area of Kimberley, BC. He is pre-deceased by both his parents, sister Wendy-Sue, sister-in-law Sherri "Sue" (Myles), brother Marna and sister Joanne (Glen). He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Mary "Molly", his son Michael (Meagan), two grand-daughters (Carys and Seren), sisters Norma (Ken) and Sylvia (Nick), brothers Leland "Wink" and Myles. Nip was a life-long skier involved in the Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance (CSIA) and Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS) as well as a pilot and aircraft mechanic. Throughout his career and life he taught hundreds of able-bodied and handicapped people to ski and become instructors. He was involved in helping to promote and develop the early days of the CSIA and CADS and was inducted into the CSIA Hall of Fame. He was director of the Kimberley Ski School for 32 years and was honoured by the Resorts of Canadian Rockies after his retirement by the renaming of his favourite run to Bradford's Blvd. As a pilot and mechanic, he worked at Kootenay Airways, S & S Aviation as well as doing many years of crop dusting in the Creston Valley. Over the years he fixed numerous aircraft for family and friends, as he was well known for his skills with fabric aircraft. He had a long battle with cancer and his family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and support staff at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital Oncology Department, the Southern Interior Rotary Lodge and the Oncology Department of the Kelowna General Hospital. A memorial in Nip's honour will be held this fall in Kimberley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Agency or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com