For the family of Daniel Bradley

Dan the Man

On April 5th 2023 Christina Bradley almost 8 months pregnant with her six child, went into preterm labor and was admitted to Melbourne Hospital due to her high risk pregnancy. Daniel Bradley, her husband, rushed to be by her side. Little did they know their lives were going to drastically change.

At 7am on April 6th 2023, Dan’s alarm went off to wake the kids for school, only Dan never woke up. Christina, 8 months pregnant recalls yelling to the nurses, “help, help, I think my husbands dead,” as she ripped her leads off and ran to his side. Using her EMT training, she immediately started CPR. Still warm to touch she worked on him until the nurses came to help. Two hours later Daniel Bradley was pronounced dead.

Christina and Daniel met on the job, 17 years ago. At the time they were both first responders for the city of Bridgeport, CT. She was 18 years old, he was 25 and she thought he was, “the coolest thing on earth.” Some years later Christina became pregnant with their first child. Their family quickly expanded.

On December 14, 2012 Daniel Bradley was one of the first, first responders to arrive at the scene of the Sandy Hook shooting. All his years of experience never prepared him for what he witnessed that day. That was first time Christina saw her husband cry. Dan never spoke about the Sandy Hook shooting. In 2013 he was awarded ‘Provider of the year award’ from Danbury for his aid and care during of the Sandy Hook tragedy. Although most would be honored to receive an award, Dan was not. It never made it to the “Bradley wall of accomplishments” because to Dan it was never an accomplishment or something he should be praised for. Dan never had the “hero complex.” Being a medic was Dan’s calling.

The Sandy Hook tragedy was a sighting that Dan could never shake. In addition, the harassment from reporters who wanted to paint a false narrative of the Sandy Hook tragedy ultimately took a toll on Dan. He sank into a depression so deep that he and Christina lost their Stratford home as he went through life self medicated and homeless.

But Dan still had a goal. He found his way to Camp Haven in Florida, worked for labor finders and soon got his career back. In 2019 with hopes to get his family back, Dan surprised Christina and their 4 kids at the time and bought a house in Vero Beach. Christina, eager to have her family whole and confident in Dan, moved to Vero Beach. Their family quickly grew and their 5th child was on the way.

Dan worked 60+ hours a week to support his family, never once missing a birthday, school concert, or holiday. In addition to the little time he had, he still took the time to give back to those who helped him, while also teaching his children the importance of giving back. Dan wasn’t a man rich in wealth, yet he would still give his last for those in need. He cooked regularly for Camp Haven, and volunteered ringing the bell with Christina and their small children, just to name a few.

In August 2021, Dan became ill with COVID. Days later both Christina and Dan were hospitalized for a month. In the mist of fighting for his life, Dan would soon learn he would be met with another battle. He was diagnosed with renal cancer. This left Dan and Christina in a financial debt. Dan’s 401k was drained and he barely was able to catch up on the house bills.

It was one battle after another for the Bradley family. In November 2022 the Bradley home was left in despair suffering loss from Hurricane Nicole. Dans cancer had come back despite his operation but he kept it quiet not wanting to worry his now pregnant wife of their soon to be sixth child.

April 6th 2023, Dan unexpectedly passed away in the hospital on the Dad’s cot next to Christina. His coffee still hot, his body warm to touch. It was only a few hours prior he was up sending tiktoks to Christina trying to make light of their current situation. Although the official cause of death is yet to be determined, Christina Bradley suspects it was a pulmonary embolism or maybe the cancer that ultimately took his life.

Due to Dan’s preexisting health conditions, he was determined “uninsurable” and denied access to life insurance. Not only is the passing of Dan a tragic heartbreak for his family, his being unable to leave his family with any type of financial cushion is an added blow. In addition, since Dan’s passing, Christina has been struggling to access her own medical care.

Daniel Bradley’s death is a loss to more than Christina Bradley and her children, but to everyone who came into contact with him. Dan is remembered as a man who had an infectious personality, big heart, and someone you would always want to be around, even in the worst of situations.

I ask that if you have the means, to please consider donating funds to help. Donations will not only help Christina Bradley with current finances such as housing costs, household necessities, supplies for 6th child on the way, upkeep of the house, as well help with the expenses of the children’s future. The oldest child will be graduating and going off to college next year.