Obituary of James Joseph Bradley
BRADLEY, James Joseph ‘Jim’ - It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Jim Bradley on Friday, September 26, 2025. He was born February 19, 1945 in Sudbury, Ontario to parents Lorne and Florence (nee Gagne) Bradley. Jim was brother to Gerald Bradley, and was predeceased by sisters Dawn Bennett, Diane Bradley, and brother Ted Bradley. He will be deeply missed by many. Jim was baptized at St. Paul’s United Church and attended King George VI Public School before moving to St. Catharines with his family in November 1957. There he attended Lincoln Centennial Public School and Carleton Public School. Jim began his political career when he was elected president of Grantham High School Student Council. He served as Grantham Ward Alderman from 1970 to 1977 before being elected in June of that same year to the Ontario Legislature, where he represented St. Catharines as MPP for 41 years. Jim served in the cabinets of Premier David Peterson, Premier Dalton McGuinty, and Premier Kathleen Wynne, holding the posts of Minister of Environment (on two separate occasions), Tourism and Recreation, Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Community Safety and Correctional Services, as well as Government House Leader and Chief Government Whip. In October 2018, Jim was elected as a St. Catharines Regional Councillor and chosen as Niagara’s Regional Chair from 2018-2022. He was reappointed as Chair in 2022. Jim was a teacher with the Lincoln County Board of Education, teaching at Scottlea, Dalewood, and Connaught senior elementary schools. He was deeply involved in local minor sports as a coach for the Grantham Optimist bantam and midget fastball teams. He also served as a coach and official in Grantham Optimist house league hockey and was a member of the Grantham Optimist Club for over half a century. An avid sports fan, Jim cheered on his Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills, Toronto Blue Jays, and Toronto Raptors. He was also a strong supporter of local sports teams in St. Catharines, including the Brock University Badgers. Jim was extremely grateful to all who assisted in any way in his election campaigns over his years in municipal and provincial politics. Cremation has taken place. Friends are invited to gather at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION CENTRE, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, visiting Friday October 3, 2025 from 5 to 8 pm. A Funeral Service in celebration of his life will be held Saturday October 4, 2025 at 1 pm at Bethany Community Church (1388 Third Street Louth, St. Catharines), where guests are invited to gather beginning at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, one may consider a donation to the Rankin Cancer Run, Hospice Niagara, Trillium United Church, or a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences at georgedartefuneralhome.com
For those who wish, a livestream of the Funeral Service is available by clicking here.
An environmentally friendly, electronic Order of Service is available by clicking here.