Jim Bradford 1919-2001

by Russell Sherman

This past month Avoda lost more than a friend, they lost the man who worked tirelessly to keep Avoda looking its best. Jim Bradford, the maintenance man at Avoda for more than 20 years, passed away at the age of 82.

Jim began working at Avoda in 1972. He was hired on a part-time basis while still working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in charge of buildings and grounds at Lakeville State Hospital. Jim would begin his work at Avoda at 4 PM after putting in a full day at the Hospital and he would work to 8 PM. Several years thereafter, he retired from the hospital and assumed his position at Avoda on a full time basis.

Jim worked 52 weeks a year. Even in the dead of winter, he would put in an 8 hour day using kerosene heaters to keep warm.

Jim retired from Avoda 6 years ago.

Jim not only maintained and updated the buildings and grounds of Avoda, but he was always there to check on the property to make sure everything was safe and secure.

Over the years as Jim became part of the Avoda family he interacted more and more with the campers and staff. He often helped them work on special projects and he could always be counted on for a good joke or a lively story.

Jim's impact on the camp may have been best summed up in a 1985 Color War Song from the White Spray's team play. The song, sung to the tune of Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, was called.... Bad, Bad Jimmy Brad.

In the archives of Avoda,
there is a man that can be found.
He was a maintenance man
fit into the plan,
to make Avoda stick around.

He fixes all the shutters.
He even shaves the side of the door.
He patches up the screens
and fills the gasoline
so the boys can ski much more.

(Chorus)
Well he's bad, bad, Jimmy Brad
the best maintenance man the camp's ever had
with a hammer he's a god.
You know he's Grampa A-V-O-D-A.

He's got a suped up ride-on mower
and the camp truck is his delight.
He's go his own little fridge
with his Old Milwaukee's
which he keeps locked up tight.

He struts around the campground
with a ladder under his arm
and he woos Bobby D
with his sweet melody
and his own little Grandpa charm.

(Chorus)
Well he's bad, bad, Jimmy Brad
the best maintenance man the camp's ever had
with a hammer he's a god.
You know he's Grampa A-V-O-D-A.

Now that wraps up our tale
of the man called Jimmy Brad
he was a legend here
and no one could compare
to Avoda's own granddad.