Kenneth L Bradshaw

Kenneth L. Bradshaw, Jr., 84, of Inverness, passed away peacefully March 5, 2015 under the care of HPH Hospice, Lecanto.  Ken was born in Taunton, Massachusetts to Kenneth L. and Ruby Bradshaw, Sr. and raised in the neighboring community of Raynham. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years and best friend, Barbara Bradshaw. Other survivors include sons Ted Williams Bradshaw, James Bradshaw; daughters Nancy Bradshaw, Donna Bradshaw, Linda Bradshaw; brother Richard Bradshaw; grandson Craig Bradshaw; granddaughter Kristina Bradshaw; great grandson Richard Bradshaw; nephews William Young, Kenneth Young, Eddie Bradshaw, Gary Bradshaw, plus numerous other nephews and nieces; mother-in-law Christina DeArruda; brother-in-law Larry DeArruda; sister-in-law Christine King. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Ruby Gagnon, Judy Green, Eunice Bussiere.
Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 and saw combat duty during the Korean War with Company E, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Ken’s “Fighting Irish” spirit gave him the perseverance to survive seven months of bitter fighting until he was seriously wounded on February 6, 1951. Following two months hospitalization in Japan and 15 months rehabilitation at Walter Reed, he was medically retired in 1952. Returning to Raynham, Massachusetts, he worked at Haskon General Electric until his retirement in 1983 with 29 years of service. In 1988, he and Barbara relocated to their Inverness home. Ken was most proud of being a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge, as well as his cherished honor of being inducted as a warrior of the Ho-Chunk Nation, the tribe of his battlefield comrade Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud, whom Ken was with on Hill 123 when Corporal Red Cloud earned his posthumous Medal of Honor. Ken was active in local politics as a precinct committeeman and in veterans and civic organizations. He was a charter member of Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776, MOPH; past commander VFW Post 4337, Inverness; life member DAV and Korean War Veterans Association; a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. A gathering of family and friends is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, with the memorial service to begin at 11:00 AM., at Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness. A reception will follow at VFW Post 4337, Inverness. Inurnment will be in Raynham, MA. Memorial donations may be made to Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 MOPH, P.O. Box 1345, Lecanto, FL 34460 or HPH Hospice, Lecanto.