Ronald E. “Ron” Bradley February 8, 1932 – October 11, 2025

Ronald E. Bradley, a proud resident of Framingham for 70 years, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on October 11, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 93.

Born on February 8, 1932, in New Bedford, Ron (also known as “Ronbo” and “Ronnie”) grew up in Cochituate in the town of Wayland. The oldest of five boys, Ron was the captain of the football team for Wayland High School where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Marie “Rita” Poirier. The high school sweethearts graduated in 1950 and married on March 24, 1951.

After serving in the Navy during the Korean Conflict, Ron settled with Rita in Framingham by 1955 where they would remain for the next 70 years. Ron originally worked as a plasterer before joining Raytheon in 1960, where he was known as a smart, diligent employee. He proudly worked on the Patriot missile system, a key defense during the first Gulf War.

Ron retired from Raytheon in 1992 and spent his retirement golfing, hanging out at the VFW, and spending time with the love of his life, Rita. The two celebrated their 74^th wedding anniversary earlier this year and would often remark on how blessed they were to have reached this milestone. Rita often referred to Ron as her “knight in shining armor,” to which he’d respond, “Old man in faded denim.”

Ron had a quiet and often stoic demeanor, but he loved his family and was devoted to Rita to the very end. He recently revealed to his adult children the code behind the words “Drive carefully,” which he always said to them whenever they left the house. “Drive carefully” was his way of saying “I love you.”

Ron enjoyed spending time bowling, golfing, and talking computers with his sons, and watching the Patriots with his daughter. Over the decades, he especially enjoyed Saturday nights, made famous in the Bradley household for Rita’s legendary Boston baked beans. Whether the couple enjoyed the feast with each other or with the extended family they regularly hosted over the years, “bean nights” were among Ron’s happiest memories.

In addition to his beloved wife, Ron is survived by his six children: Kevin of Framingham; Scott and his wife Sue of Maynard; Mitch and his wife Trish of Durham, CT; Todd and his partner Karen of Nashua, NH; Ross and his wife Dianne of Milford; and Robyn and her partner Dave of Milford. He was the proud grandfather of 13 and proud great-grandfather of 10. He is also survived by his devoted former daughter-in-law, Natalie Shaw of Plymouth, many nieces and nephews, and three brothers: George of Cape Cod; Paul of New Hampshire; and Peter of Sudbury. He was predeceased by his brother Roy of Kentucky.

Ron made it clear to his family that he didn’t “want a fuss” when the time came, so to respect his wishes, the family will be holding visiting hours on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at John C. Bryant Funeral Home in Wayland with brief remarks at the end. His ashes will be buried in a family plot on Rita’s side of the family in Kensington, New Hampshire, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Ron’s name to the Disabled American Veterans.