The death has taken place of well-known Mountmellick businessman Tony Bradford (73).
He came to Ireland in 1972 to set up business and spent the rest of his life here.
He and his wife Margaret (Dowling), a native of Ballyfin, made the decision at that time to move back to Ireland.
Margaret is well-known through her shop Number One Boutique on Emmet Street, Mountmellick.
The move to Ireland was one which the native of Altrincham, Manchester greatly enjoyed.
In fact he became so settled in Ireland that his own mother, Phyllis, moved to spend her final years in Ireland, only passing away in recent years in her 90s.
Together Tony and Margaret founded AR Bradford & Co Ltd which they successfully ran from 1972 to 1984.
During this time he raised significant amounts of money for local charities through the hosting of very successful local seven-a-side soccer tournaments.
One of the highlights of these tournaments was the hosting of a presentation night in Horan’s Bar and Lounge which couldn’t cater for the huge crowd.
It was estimated that approximately 1,000 people turned up to the event, such was its success.
In 1984, Tony became a board member of 4 Aces Wholesale Ltd and played an active part in building a successful business until he retired in 1997.
He certainly made the most of his retirement, indulging a lifelong passion for flying, particularly at Clonbullogue Airfield.
He was a well-known and popular figure in the aviation fraternity.
Fly-over
To mark his passing, a fellow local avivation enthusiast, Mark Brereton of Limetree Airfield did a fly-over Mountmellick in his plane on Wednesday as the cortege emerged from church, a touch which the late Tony would have greatly appreciated.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Fiona Booth, son Robert, son-in-law, Robert Booth, and grandchildren Conor and Emily.
SEE ALSO – Death occurs of Mrs Peg Fleming, mother of TD Sean
