Bradley Furr
On the afternoon of Jan. 5, 2016, just three months from his 30th birthday, Bradley died tragically in an accident outside his home in Killington, Vt.
As a son and brother, Bradley was born to parents, Kimberly and John, and brother, John Jr., in Smithtown, New York at 2:42 a.m. on April 5, 1986. As a young child he was loving, thoughtful, inquisitive and bright.
There were clear indications at a very young age that Bradley was unusually clever and intelligent. At age 4 he began to recite the entire text of his favorite book, “Where the Wild Things Are.” Bradley’s brother, six years his senior, helped to shape his unique sense of humor – a gift that always remained intact. Even during the most trying times, Bradley’s vocal impressions and witty remarks were well appreciated by those who loved him best.
Bradley built on his love of cars and music, interests he adopted as a young child and areas in which he would hone his natural talents throughout his too-short life.
He received his first electric and acoustic guitars as a young teen and his love for music remained a constant in a sea of change. Building on his musical gift, Bradley went on to write, sing and play to perfection. His vocal/acoustic work, “Drag Me Down” (Bradley James), was made available through iTunes in 2012. Bradley was proud of his newer recordings and was preparing to publish when his life was cut short.
Raised in Washington and Maine, and spending his young adult years between Massachusetts and Florida, he kept fit by biking and running. In recent years, Bradley found his true home and was happiest in Vermont where he began a moving business. He skied and hiked the mountains, beautifully photographed the woods and joyfully shared his love of nature and small animals with others. Described as a “diamond in the rough,” Bradley was a cherished friend to many. His passion, his warm smile, his fun-loving ways, his constant laughter, and his agility in adapting to life events are some of the reasons friends drew inspiration from him, describing Bradley as “the definition of life.” Asking that he watch over us and continue to “keep us all full of life as he always did,” Bradley’s friends put it best when they say “his music will always play in our hearts.”
Beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew and cousin, Bradley is survived by his mother, Kimberly A. McLaughlin; his father, John Furr; his brother, John M. Furr; his sister-in-law, Annessa Furr; his nieces, Renée and Chloé Furr; and the many, many genuine friends who loved him, stood by him, and offered him their support throughout his journey.
A service will be held to honor Bradley at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 at Grace Congregational Church (8 Court St. Rutland, Vt.) where attendees will be welcome to speak. Visitation will be held at Clifford Funeral Home (2 Washington St. Rutland, Vt.) from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 16, preceding the church service. Flowers or plants may be sent directly to Clifford’s Funneral Home; alternatively donations may be sent in honor of Bradley’s life and love for nature and animals to The Nature Connection (NatureConnection.org) or MSPCA at Nevins Farm (MSPCA.org).
A celebration of life organized by some of Bradley’s many devoted friends will be held in Massachusetts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 at Paradise Cambridge, 180 Massachusetts Avenue.
Family and Brad’s friends are invited to gather later in the year for a memorial celebration and spreading of ashes/letting go of balloons in Killington, Vt. (date to be announced).
