Wayne Charles Bradley

Wayne Bradley was born on May 26, 1949, in Yuma, Arizona. The youngest of six children, his parents and siblings, had traveled from Michigan to Arizona and then moved to the Linda Vista neighborhood in San Diego in 1950.

The Bradley family were staunch Catholics and became parishioners of Holy Family Church upon their arrival in San Diego. As Wayne said many times, Holy Family has been the parish where his children attended elementary school and have celebrated the sacraments and special life events.

Wayne attended Holy Family School and St. Augustine High School here in San Diego. It was during these formative years that he met lifelong friends. The friendships he formed in childhood remained a vital part of Wayne’s life, enduring through the years. All of us also remember as his friends and family, his enduring sense of humor (which one person said that he was the funniest person she’d ever known), his feisty personality, and his loyalty as a friend.

Wayne grew up with a passion for sports, especially baseball. His love for the game opened many doors — playing collegiately at Mesa College and Chico State, and later coaching at Madison, West Hills, Mesa College, and Southwestern College. Many of his former teammates, those he coached, those he mentored, and fellow coaches are here today, and the family deeply appreciates your presence.

Wayne found great purpose in his career as a deputy sheriff, and as a corrections sergeant with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The outpouring of support and endearing sentiments from fellow deputies who he worked with more than twenty years ago after they learned of Wayne’s death is a testament to the respect he earned, his collegiality and the positive impact he had on those around him.

A devout Catholic, Wayne lived out his faith daily. Through frequent reception of the sacraments — especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation — he deepened his relationship with Christ. He was a lion for his faith, instilling these convictions in his children and inspiring those around him.

Wayne was affectionately known by many names: Wayn-o, Uncle Wayne, Rufus, Sergeant Bradley, Ratso. But to those closest to him, he was Dad and Papa. He was an outstanding family man sacrificing continuously as his children Henri, Lindsey, and Nicholas grew up to make certain they had the best upbringing he could provide. Every holiday: Christmas, Easter, and birthdays, the house would be filled with decorations. As a father, Wayne was incredible — not only providing for his children even in difficult times, but also, he embodied what it meant to be a Christian father. He demonstrated sacrificial love, perseverance, forgiveness, and strength, showing Henri, Lindsey, and Nicholas what true love and resilience looked like. He also made certain his children traveled to areas of the United States not only to see family members in Michigan but to appreciate this country’s respected history in places like Washington DC and Virginia.

When his grandchildren came into this world, all girls, they were the joy of his life. He adored each one of them. So many little gifts he would provide for them at every turn during the years to communicate to them how much he treasured and was devoted to them. He will be sorely missed by them all.

In his later years, with his dear Lisbeth, who he met in 2007, he became a world traveler, something he thought he would never do. He traveled for the first time to four continents, including Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia and 14 countries. He loved his paddle boat trip down the Mississippi where he found a fried bologna sandwich again in a small southern town, but his last trip on a Canadian Rocky Mountaineer railway system was one of his favorite trips, which in the last few months he told Lisbeth he dreamed about returning to.

Wayne is the last of the Bradley siblings born in the 1940’s to pass and is preceded in death by his father, Guy Richard Bradley; his mother, Marian Mathilda Bradley; his sisters, Eileen, Carole, and Sharon; and his brothers, Joseph and Richard. It is joyful that they have been waiting for him, and he will be joining them in heaven.

He is survived by Lisbeth Johnson, his partner for twenty years; his daughter Lindsey; his sons Nicholas and Henri; their wives Rachel and Melina; and his beloved granddaughters: Kaylee, Alyson, Lexie, Brooke, Molly, Lucy, and Mathilda.

Funeral Mass will be held on May 1, 2025, at 11:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Church (1957 Coolidge Street, San Diego, CA 92010).

Reception will follow immediately after the Funeral Mass at the Admiral Baker Club House (2400 Admiral Baker Road, San Diego, CA 92124).

In lieu of flowers, we have asked that you donate to Wayne’s favorite horseback riding organization Partners Therapeutic Horsemanship, which assists children with Autism and disabilities, or to Holy Family Catholic Church.