January 27, 2020

A note to Joe – around 1969 I remember hanging out with you and helping Brad make his car payments because of his poker skills in your basement on West End Ave. He always seemed to win! Reading the obituary brought back that memory. I am sorry for your loss of a big brother.
Ray Huber

January 20, 2020

What goes thump, thump, thump, gush … thump, thump, thump, gush?  An elephant with one wet sneaker.  How do you know if an elephant been in your refrigerator?  Footprints on the butter.  These are examples of Brad’s warped, but awesome sense of humor.  I know one should be respectful and somber on these memorials, but I always smile and laugh thinking of my memories with Brad.  And there are tears as I try to write this.  
 
I grew up with Brad and we shared many a great time together.  Music and laughter most of the time.  And he had a lot of music.  Brad spun records on his portable, battery operated record player in the McDonalds parking lot on Columbia Ave on many summer evenings. He would always play the most current hits, but also those old slow-dancing songs from the real early days of rock and roll.  I don’t know if that is when he thought of his “stage name” or alias — Joe Bush.  Formally, Joe B T Bush.  When asked what the BT stood for, Brad would matter-of-factly reply, “Behind The”. Not that obvious, Brad.  There were a few girls who didn’t know it was an alias on their first date. Not to mention, he was a Bush way before anyone knew that Reagan was going to select a Bush as a running mate.  
 
Before moving on it would be remiss in mentioning that Joe B T Bush was his pen name on the many poems that he wrote.  Rod McQuen copied his style and became famous. Just saying.
 
We would often drive to a record store in York on Saturdays.  Talk to “the walking UNIVAC” (the owner who knew music).  If you could hum a few bars, he would point you in the right direction.  This is where one could buy an a cappella record by the Zercons or the first Spellbinders’ album. I remember one very cold sunny Saturday stopping at a restaurant in East York after a buying session at the record store.  Our normal was a hamburger and fries.  Two things about Brad … (1) he always ate slowly, very, very slowly and (2) he smothered French fries with ketchup.  Strange, the things that pop back into one’s head.  We ended up driving around the loop and loudly playing the records that we purchased.  Remember, a very cold, winter’s day and the car windows were down.  Sweet memories.  The Tymes, Chicken Man (he’s everywhere, he’s everywhere), the Skyliners, the Olympics, Neffsville dances, “Stairway to Heaven.”  
 
Some notes that you may not know about him ….
 
·       He loved the original Star Trek.  Would not miss it on TV.
·       He could do a good imitation of Flip Wilson’s Geraldine.  He loved Flip Wilson and Bill Cosby’s early comedy.  He also never missed “Laugh In”.
·       Thought 007 was the coolest dude ever.
·       Thought all Swedish actresses were gorgeous. 
·       Talked, rather mentioned once, about moving to Australia and opening a record store.  
 
And then one of us has to fulfill our military service.  During the coin flip, I got to keep both kidneys.  I wasn’t jealous; I knew his honor.  He and Linda helped me with my sanity during long cruises with their letters.   Getting to know his boys has been a pleasure.  I had such fun with them on my visits to Lancaster.  Driving though his neighborhood spotting deer and “mooing” at the cows.  Braking boards (them, not me).  Golf.
 
The last time I saw Brad was in the 90s.  He was giving Little Anthony and the Imperials little slaps after the show at Dover Downs.  Still cool.
 
Ryan and Jason you have my deepest symphony for your loss.  And Barb, Joe and John.  
 
I miss our times, but the memories I will cherish.  RIP, good friend.  

 
Steven Kipphorn

January 20, 2020

Condolences to Brad’s family. He was a mighty fine co-worker.
Moose

January 20, 2020

Sue, Sorry to hear the news. Brad was a good man. Tom Zangari . (RRD )

January 18, 2020

January 18, 2020                              Ryan, Amy and Family,                     My sincere condolences,                   God Bless You.                                  Aunt Alice

January 17, 2020

So sorry to hear this news. Brad was one of the nicest people. My heart goes out to Sue and his family.
Denise

January 16, 2020

Sue and Family,
Brad was an excellent teacher, mentor and an even better friend. Brad helped to smooth over my earlier years at RRD, always up for happy hour and endless rounds of billiards. My wife and I were lucky enough to listen to his record collection, one of the best collections around. Brad was always willing to help anyone, and his cool and peaceful demeanor always made the roughest days easier for the rest of us to handle. 
Mark Frisbie

January 16, 2020

So sorry for you and Brad’s family. Praying for all.
Daryl and Brenda Thomson

January 16, 2020

Brad, Thank you for loving my Mom the way you did. You were such a sweet, patient man and you will be missed. 
Mom, I love you and my heart breaks for your loss. Please find peace in knowing that Brad is in a much better place now, but for sure he is missing you every minute as well xoxo
Love,
Stacey

January 15, 2020

My condolences to the family of Brad. Sue my condolences to you, thinking of you. May God comfort you all.
Suzanne Thomas 

January 15, 2020

Ryan, Amy and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. 
Dorothy Cline

January 15, 2020

My condolences to the family and sorry for your loss sue. May god bless you and keep the faith.
Jerry Edwardsj
 

January 15, 2020

My condolences to the family. Worked with him for many years.
Robert vickers

January 15, 2020

This weekend I made my girls dolphin, crab, and sea horse waffles in the waffle maker Uncle Brad gave us for Christmas. He has always been a kind, compassionate, loving uncle. We are so saddened to hear of his passing. We have been so blessed to have shared fun times with Uncle Brad and we will miss him🙁
We are sending our love and prayers to all of our family as we grieve his passing. We will miss him. God bless each of you. ❤️
Pete, Amy, Sophie, and Grace Meli

January 15, 2020

Brad was my mentor during my first few months at RRD. He had a wonderful, crazy sense of humor and an unparalleled love of snacks. He never had a cross word for anyone. Lovely, lovely person. Rest in peace, Brad. You’re finally getting a good night’s sleep!
Bonnie Garfield

January 14, 2020

I am very sorry to hear of Brad’s passing. Brad and I worked together for several years in the composition department at RRD.  He was so friendly, caring, and hard working. And he was a tremendously talented proofreader. Not an easy skill to master, he made it look easy.
My condolences and hope that you find solace in all the brightness Brad brought to the world.
Frank Goldman

January 14, 2020

Sorry for your loss Sue.
Curt and Joy Gardner

January 14, 2020

To the Weitzel Family, please know that the Allingham Family shares in your grief at the unexpected loss of our dear friend Brad. He was a soft-spoken man with a kind heart who always looked for the good in people. Never did he utter a disparaging or unkind word about anyone. To the contrary, he always saw the good in all whom he came in contact with. On a personal note, Brad and I enjoyed many good hours together in the company of our granddaughters, Sarah and Emma Weitzel. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face when we were with the girls and I know his loss is a tragic one for my granddaughters. His comforting hugs and encouraging words will always be fondly remembered by them, though I wish they would have enjoyed many more years of his company. But, he will always be in their hearts as their lives move on and I know his legacy will live on in generations to come. Like them, I miss Brad as well. We were “baby-boomers” who shared many common life experiences and this became our bond. If each of us can simply “pay forward” the kindness that Brad showed everyone, then this world will, indeed, be a better place. We have lost a truely good man.
Jim Allingham, Lansdale, PA
 

January 14, 2020

My heart goes out to all of you- I loved working with Brad and he truly was one of the nicest guys! My condolences to all of you!
Jeane Oellig

January 14, 2020

I’m so sad to hear this! Loved working with Brad – hard to believe😥
Thinking of you Sue.
Cheryl