Ralph T. Bradley

Stoughton- Ralph Thomas Bradley, age 82, passed away peacefully October 20, 2010, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. He was born in Edgerton, on February 12, 1928, the son of Ralph J. and Cecil (Brigham) Bradley. On September 21, 1945, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Ann Vogel.              Growing up in Edgerton, Ralph loved hunting with his dog, Rebel.  He was Edgerton's high school football team quarterback, as well as a boxer, and loved and participated in many other sports. As well as being an outstanding athlete, Ralph was also an outstanding school leader and was elected as his class president.  Combining his schooling with work, he even delivered milk as a young man with a horse-drawn milk wagon.              Ralph met the love of his life, Dorothy Vogel, at the Ace High Roller Rink in Janesville. After they married, they enjoyed traveling, dancing and listening to big band music. Ralph had an immense love for horses, his favorite being the Appaloosa. He seldom missed a horse pull. In 1957, he moved the family to Stoughton where he managed Stoughton Lumber Company and later formed BFS Corporation.              Ralph was a well respected builder and businessman throughout the Stoughton and surrounding communities. He served on the Stoughton School Board.  With Dorothy often at his side, he excelled in planning and building many landmarks including Stoughton Trailers, Norse Chalet Restaurant, Red Apple Restaurant, Stukeys, clinics, and many facilities and homes.  He played a major role in restoring the Stoughton Opera House, in constructing the Stoughton Public Safety Building, and was deeply involved and instrumental in developing and completing St. Ann Catholic Church's building projects.              After retiring from BFS, Ralph worked for the City of Stoughton as Assessor, Clerk, Contractor, City Planner and Building Inspector.  He had a sterling reputation as the man to get any job done and done right.             He is survived by his wife Dorothy of 65 years; children, Carol (Jim) Quale, Tom (Beth) Bradley, Mike Bradley, Doug (Debbie) Bradley, Jeff (Linda) Bradley, Shannon (David) McKichan, Tim (Laura) Bradley and Joel (Theresa) Bradley; many, many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and a sister, Harriett Merritt of South Carolina.             He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Shirley Dooley and Cecil Johnson; infant son, Scott; sons, Dick Bradley and Kim Bradley; a daughter-in-law, Candi Bradley; and grandson, Nicholas Bradley.             A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 25, 2010 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren St. Stoughton, with Msgr. Gerard Healy officiating. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon in the church fellowship hall immediately following the Mass.  Burial will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery in Edgerton. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Ralph requested that all memorials be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church.