Raphael Neil Bradley

BRADLEY, Raphael Neil, 72, NORWAY, ME, January 27, 2012. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held on February 11, 2012, at the Norway Town Hall on Danforth Street, Norway, Maine, from 4-6 p.m. Arrangements in care of Oxford Hills and Weston Funeral Services, Oxford, ME.

    NORWAY, ME – Raphael Neil Bradley, 72, died on January 27, 2012, after a long bout with cancer. Neil was born on January 16, 1940, in “The County” of northern Maine. He was the son of the late Evelyn Warner Bradley Nevers and Lawrence Bradley of Presque Isle.

    Upon completing school in Presque Isle, he went right to work driving tractor trailer trucks. This would become his lifelong passion. He was known to many by his CB handle “the white elephant”. Neil drove an old B series Mack for Delmont Wood Construction in the early 70’s. He also had a great relationship with Paul Levesque, of Paul Levesque & Sons of Ashland, driving tractor trailer for them for several years. He drove for Gary Bonville until 1983, when he was lured out of “The County” by Bob and Richard Bahre from Oxford, Maine. He spent the last 29 years doing construction work and driving construction equipment for Speedway Inc. While working with the Speedway crew, he was involved in the construction of multiple housing projects and in building New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH.

    Neil had an easy going way about him and he was quickly a friend to all that he met. He was a hard worker and an important part of the Speedway crew. His fun loving nature will be missed by all his family and friends.

    Neil leaves behind six children: Karla Beaver, Tracy Bradley, Holly Bradley, all of Presque Isle, Raphael N. Bradley, Jr., of Machiasport, ME, Terry L. Craig, Douglas L. Bradley and his wife, Dawn of Waterford, ME. Neil is also survived by his brother, Stanley Bradley, of Florida; and his sister, Beryl Savard of Saco, ME; grandchildren: James Bradley, Ashley Sock, Krissy Shemkovitz, and Casey Churchill, all of Presque Isle, Shane B. Bradley of Florida, Reginald J. Hagar and Hayden B. H. Bradley of Waterford; great-grandchildren, Tristyn & Caidyn Case, Zoey & Alyssa Shemkovitz, and Evyn Hoyt of Presque Isle. Neil is also survived by his first wife, Gloria Grant.

    He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Francis Bradley; a son, Michael Bradley; and his former wives, Anne Hayden and Anita Jones Bradley.

    A gathering for friends and family to share memories of Neil and celebrate his life will be held on February 11, 2012, at the Norway Town Hall on Danforth Street, Norway, Maine, from 4-6 p.m. Arrangements under the care of Oxford Hills and Weston Funeral Services, 1037 Main St., Oxford, ME 04270. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com