James Michael Bradley died peacefully at Mertens House on September 17th, 2026 at the age of 91. He was born on November 11, 1934, the youngest of the five children of Leonard and Aurelia Bradley and the tenth child of their combined families. He was born at the family home in Springfield, Vermont.

Jim’s family later moved to Woodstock, and it was there, in first grade, that he met his future wife, Margaret Barnard. The family eventually moved to Bridgewater, where they settled for the long term. As a teenager, Jim worked at the little general store on Route 4, as well as at the Bridgewater Woolen Mill, as did his parents and, at various times, his siblings.

Jim grew up surrounded by his many siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Together, they spent countless hours hunting, fishing, exploring the woods, and the Ottauquechee River—happily and with minimal adult supervision.

Jim graduated from high school in Woodstock in 1954 and afterward joined the U.S. Army, serving for two years in postwar Germany. Jim and Margaret were married in 1957 and lived in Burlington for several years before returning to Woodstock to start their family.

While living in Burlington, Jim gained experience in the sheet metal trade. He continued to develop his skills in Woodstock before striking out on his own and establishing Bradley’s Sheet Metal in 1976.

Well into his 80s, Jim continued fabricating an extraordinary variety of things, ranging from custom ductwork and chimney caps to copper range hoods, reproductions of antique lamps, and complex water and fuel tanks for Stanley Steam car restoration done by Don Bourdon.

Several years ago, he made and donated the four copper lamps now on the Middle Bridge in Woodstock. He also made and donated the copper lamps on the fire stations in Woodstock and Bridgewater. One of his earlier projects, in the 1970s, was creating the octagonal lamps that continue to light the front lawn of the Woodstock Inn and around town. His work is, quite literally, all over this town. Jim often said, with a twinkle in his eye, “I wonder if there’s anything I can’t do?”

Jim was a member of the Woodstock Pistol and Rifle Club and spent many evenings trap shooting. He was an excellent shot and won the club trophy four times over the years.. The sport, and especially the good company of his fellow club members, meant a great deal to him. Over the years, he also taught many people how to become better shooters.

Jim is survived by Margaret, his wife of 69 years; his son, Bruce (Jenny) of Camano Island, WA; his daughter, Lisa Carbin (Greg); his grandchildren, Ethan, Danny, Laura, Alex, Jonathan (Grace), and Christopher (Sylvia); and his much-beloved great-grandson, Cassius James. He is also survived by the descendants of numerous hand-trained, well-fed chipmunks who provided him with countless hours of entertainment.

A special thank-you goes to all of the Mertens House staff, who cared for, appreciated, and loved Jim over the past year. They have been a blessing to our entire family.

Jim grew up in a large family during a time when food could sometimes be scarce. Donations in his memory to the Woodstock Community Food Shelf would be greatly appreciated.

Memorial visiting hours will be at Cabot Funeral Home on Saturday, September 26th from 2:00-4:00.