RETIRED LT. COL. BRADLEY B. IRISH BANGOR – Retired Lt. Col. Bradley B. Irish, 78, died July 26, 2006, from his courageous battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 27, 1928, in Weston, the son of Alvah T. and Ethel M. (Bunker) Irish. He attended grade school in Weston and graduated from Danforth High School, Class of 1945. Bradley enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and attended Princeton University and the University of Maine for the next two years. He later attended George Washington University and earned an under graduate degree in personnel management. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1949, earning his wings and commission one-year later. Flying F-86 jet fighters in the North/South Korean War, he was shot down over North Korea on his father’s birthday, Oct. 24, 1951. After nearly two years as a prisoner of war he was repatriated Sept. 4, 1953. He retired from the Air Force Feb. 1, 1971. Awards and Decorations from the military include the United Nations Service Medal; United Nations, Korea; Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon; Air Force Reserve Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 OLC; Korean Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Prisoner of War Medal; Outstanding Unit Award; Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal; and the Purple Heart which he received 45 years after the Korean War, where he earned it. In retirement, he worked to create a pristine farm and home in Weston. His favorite enjoyment, after family, was hunting and fishing, which both he and his wife, Isabel, did together. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Leslie and devoted wife, Evangeline Isabel Springer, daughter of Otis and Erma (Spinney) Springer; and a sister, Phyllis Farnham. He is survived by his only child a son, Bradley Mitchell Irish and daughter-in-law, Cathy Ann Irish; grandchildren, Bradley J., Jeremy M., Michael R., Brentt T., Kyleigh M.; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Paul Irish; and sisters, Jean Kelly, Natalie Robertson, Marilyn Russell, Patrica Mosher and Mary Ellen Lee. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at the Danforth United Methodist Church. Interment with full military honors will be at Danforth Cemetery. Arrangements with Clay Funeral Home-Bartlett Chapel, 24 Houlton Rd., Danforth. For an online register book, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
RETIRED LT. COL. BRADLEY B. IRISH
