FERRISBURGH — Eugene Charles Bradford, 75, of Ferrisburgh passed away peacefully on Feb. 15, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his family, after fighting a long battle with cancer.
Eugene, son of Chester and Sylvia Bradford, was born in Vergennes on Dec. 21, 1945. He attended a one-room Ferrisburgh schoolhouse before graduating from Vergennes Union High School in 1963.
In the mid 60s, Eugene honorably served with a 250-person crew as an E3 Radarman aboard the AGC-16 U.S.S. Pocono for the United States Navy. Eugene was a long-time member of the American Legion (Post 14) and the Fraternal Order of Eagles — Addison County.
After Eugene’s service in the Navy, he devoted his career to truck driving: hauling anything and everything. In 1989, Eugene founded Bradford’s Trucking Inc., a family-owned and operated business. When Eugene was not trucking for America, you could find him on the riverbank with a fishing rod or up at deer camp with an ice-cold Budweiser, in the garage restoring one of his many antique tractors for the local pulling circuit, or watching the NASCAR race on Sunday. You would surely receive a wave from Eugene if you passed him by on the Ferrisburgh 500.
He is survived by the love of his life Audrey Gendreau, daughter Gretchen and her husband Peter Russett; two sons, Eugene and his wife Melissa Bradford and Kevin and his wife Kelsey Bradford; grandchildren Joseph, Devin, Alex, Andrew, Dustin, Brad, Kimberlee, Kolby, Dylan, Colin, Kyra, Joleigh and Aliyah; and great-grandchildren Louise and Elizabeth. Eugene is also survived by Audrey’s children, Cody and his wife Anna Peck, and Ashley, and grandchildren Lain, Troy and Jamison. Eugene is predeceased by his father, Chester and mother, Sylvia Bradford and his son, Joel Russett.
We all know there was “never a dull moment” when spending time with Eugene, and he will be missed by many.
A graveside service will be planned in the spring. To send online condolences to his family visit brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eugene’s memory may be made to the Vergennes Lions Club, PO Box 94, Vergennes VT 05491.◊