John Bradford Ely

John Bradford Ely, age 67 of Euclid, formerly of Mentor, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at Hospice House, Cleveland. He was born March 28, 1950, in Hamilton, OH. Brad grew up in Euclid where he attended Lincoln Elementary School, Euclid Shore Junior High, and Euclid High School. After the family relocated to Mentor, he graduated from Mentor High School in 1968. He attended Lakeland Community College and Kent State University. Brad was a man of many talents; he was creative, artistic, and innovative. He had a great sense of humor and loved music, art, and culture. He enjoyed new experiences and was a talented guitar player. Many will remember him as a caring helpful neighbor and a regular volunteer at the Euclid Senior Center where he taught watercolor class, helped in the gardens, and assisted with the daily lunch service. Having grown up on Lake Erie and crewing with his father, uncles, and others at Mentor Harbor Yacht Club, Brad became an avid sailor and skipper. He purchased and raced his own Highlander sailboat at Edgewater, with his sister Barb, and brother Carl as crew. Brad also had an interest and talent for industrial design, technology, and computers. His early experience came from working as a welder and crane builder at the former Ely Crane & Hoist. He became a draftsman and CAD system operator for Stock Equipment Corporation, a CAD systems administrator for Gould Ocean Systems later to become Westinghouse Electric Corporation, a system analyst for North American Manufacturing Company and a freelance technology consultant and technical writer. He retired from RB&W as a system analyst/administrator. Brad will be remembered as someone who lived life on his terms. He enjoyed Sunday dinners and gatherings with family and friends. He is survived by mother Marilyn L. (Odell) Ely, sisters, Carolyn Bentley, Oxford, Ohio, Susan (Tom ) Staebler, Westerville, Ohio, Barbara Ely, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, brother Carl (Karen) Ely of Mentor, Ohio, nephews/niece: Griffin J. Ely, Sean (Cheryl) Bentley, Michael (Erin) Staebler, Carly (Nick) Chordas, great-nieces/nephews: Tiffany, Megan, Alex, Claire, Abigail, Graham, Isabel and Eleanor. Brad was blessed with ten cousins and close friends Nancy Thompson, and Joe (Kathleen) Pinchot. Brad was preceded in death by his father: Carl E. Ely, grandparents: Milton and Marie Ely, Kenneth K. and Margaret Odell and a nephew: William J. Bentley. Relatives and Friends are welcome to join the family to celebrate Brad’s life; visiting hours are from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH. 44060. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice of Western Reserve - David Simpson Hospice House, 300 E.185th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44119 or offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

John Bradford Ely

March 28, 1950 - December 19, 2017