Reverend Joseph Edward Bradley

Reverend Joseph Edward Bradley, 81, of Owensboro, passed away on November 30, 2024. Reverend Bradley was born in Hart County, Kentucky, and was the son of Martin Ward Bradley and Anna Lee Sims Bradley. He was raised on a farm in Grayson County, where he attended St. Anthony’s Parish and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1960.

After one year at Bellarmine University, Rev. Bradley entered the Congregation of the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis in Cincinnati, Ohio, taking the name of Brother Vincent de Paul Bradley. He taught in schools in Ohio, New York, Arkansas, and New Jersey for ten years before entering the Josephinum Seminary to become a priest.

After his ordination to the priesthood in 1975, he was assigned to Owensboro Catholic High School for 10 years as the Dean of Students and then as Principal. During this time, he also served as the diocesan vocations director.

In June of 1985, he began serving as Pastor and Rector of Saint Stephen Cathedral and pastor of Blessed Sacrament Chapel, where he remained for 10 years. In 1995, he was appointed pastor of Holy Name Parish in Henderson, Kentucky, where he served until 2011.

In addition to these pastoral assignments, Rev. Bradley also served as Confessor to the Passionist Nuns in Whitesville, Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Owensboro, Immaculate Parish in Owensboro, and St. John Parish in Sunfish, Pastor at St. Elizabeth Parish in Curdsville, St. Michael Parish in Sebree, and Holy Cross Parish in Providence; Priest Pastor for the Owensboro Consolidated Catholic School System.

Reverend Bradley’s heart for the poor led to the establishment of a soup kitchen at Saint Stephen Cathedral and then of the Daniel Pitino Homeless Shelter in Owensboro, the St. Joseph Community Apartments for low-income residents in Henderson, the Fr. Bradley Shelter in Henderson, the Henderson Emergency Shelter for Women and Children, and the Women’s Addiction Recovery Manor.

Reverend Bradley was the Chaplain for the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville’s men’s basketball teams. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Sue Garrett, Hubert “Buster” Bradley, Rose White, John Bradley, Sam Bradley, Anna Frances, Dorothy Clemons, and George Bradley.

He is survived by a sister, Mary Lou Patterson. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 5, 2024, at St. Stephen Cathedral, with the Most Reverend William F. Medley, Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro, presiding. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. Stephen Cathedral, with a prayer vigil at 7:00 p.m. officiated by Fr. Richard Meredith. There will be a visitation from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm Friday at St Anthony Catholic Church in Peonia, KY; burial will follow the visitation in Saint Anthony Cemetery.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed at https://ststephencathedral.org

Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. 

Memorial contributions will be equally divided among the four charities chosen by Reverend Bradley, Diocese of Owensboro, 600 Locust St, Owensboro, KY 42301, Memo Father Bradley. 

Messages and condolences for the family may be shared at www.glenncares.com.