Owen Robert Bradley

A dearly loved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Owen Bradley, 65 of Plainfield, Vermont died peacefully at home in Boston, Massachusetts on March 16, 2026. Owen and his wife, Jane moved to Boston in the fall of 2024 to be close to the hospital while he awaited a lifesaving lung transplant. On December 4, 2024 he was privileged to receive the gift of new lungs. Owen fought hard through a complicated recovery. He returned to their Boston apartment on March 19, 2025. By May he was able to take two of his four grandchildren to a Red Sox game where he taught them about the 7th inning stretch and belted out "Sweet Caroline" at the top of his beautiful new lungs. Owen battled through many subsequent complications and hospitalizations culminating with the discovery of a very fast-moving cancer that ended his life here on earth.

Owen was born on January 4, 1961 in Jersey City, New Jersey. His family moved to Vermont in 1975 where they owned and operated the Marshfield General Store. In 1982 a young single mother moved into an apartment over the Rainbow Sweets Bakery directly across from the Bradley's store. Their courtship, as witnessed by the coffee and pastry patrons at the bakery, was the talk of the town. A deep and abiding love grew between Owen and Jane and they married in February 1983.

Owen began a long career in Education in 1991 as the director of special programs at Montpelier, VT where he led the development of Community Based Learning and Personalized Learning Plans. While at Montpelier High he completed his Master's degree in Education. In 1999 Owen became a school Principal at Twinfield Union School, in Plainfield, VT. The time he spent at Twinfield was deeply meaningful to him. As a former Twinfield graduate, he was instrumental in creating a culture of respect infused with love. It was there Owen started putting "LOVE" signs over his door so folks could walk through love when they entered the room. Over the years those signs of love spread throughout the local community, the United States and to many other countries. After serving Twinfield for 10 years, Owen continued to share his love, leadership and joyful humor in his role at Union Elementary School in Montpelier, VT and White River Valley Schools in Bethel, VT until he was forced, by illness, to retire in 2024.

Owen is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Jane Bradley. Daughters Sarah Jane Merritt, Lauren Merritt Orr and husband Ramsey Orr. His son, Adrian Bradley. Grandsons, August Thompson and Owen Merritt. Granddaughters, Elladaye Orr and Molly Orr. Sisters, Kathy Majewski (Ed), Jean Tawil, Mary Bradley (Allyson) and Maureen Monaghan (Brendan). Brothers, Sean Bradley (LeeAnn), Colin Bradley (Servette), Evan Bradley (Julie), Patrick Bradley (Dhyana), Brian Bradley (Raquel). He is survived by many close friends and extended family members, Jean Jersey, Stephen Harrison (Cathy), John Harrison (Scottie), David Harrison (Lisa), Anne Connell and many nieces and nephews. Owen was predeceased by his parents, Marilyn and Jack Bradley and his brothers, Scott Bradley, Mark Bradley (Wendy), and Ian Bradley (Kristen).

A celebration of life service will be held on May 23, 2026 from 1PM - 3 PM at the Capital Plaza in Montpelier, VT. Memorials in Owen's honor may be made to Good Samaritan Haven, PO Box 1104, Barre, VT 05641 or Capstone Community Action, 20 Gable Place, Barre, VT 05641.