Paul F. Bradican

Paul F. Bradican (87) Of Springfield, VA passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Beloved husband to the late Miriam Margaret Bradican (Nee Notz). Loving father to Marianne Padgett (Scott) and Michael Bradican (Maria); grandfather to John Paul Bradican, Michael Bradican, Jr., and Connor Padgett. Great Grandfather to Ian Conor Bradican. He will truly be missed by many. Paul was born in Dunmore, PA to the late Albert A. and Pauline Bradican (nee Carroll). He attended Dunmore High School and the University of Scranton, graduating with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Secondary Education/English and was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army. After a brief teaching assignment in Baltimore, MD, he was assigned to the 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill, OK. Both of his children, Marianne and Michael were born there. After completing his active duty tour, he returned to Dunmore, PA and accepted a teaching position at Dunmore High School where he taught English and Social Studies for 30 years. He also continued his service in the Army. He had numerous Reserve and active duty tours over his 30 years of service, including serving as Senior Operations Officer for the 300th Field Hospital, Wilkes Barre, PA, and commanding the 322nd General Hospital at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ during his last tour. He retired at the rank of Colonel. After retirement, Paul and Miriam moved to Sun City retirement community in Bluffton, SC. He was an active member of the community, establishing the Dog Club and spearheading the effort to approve and build a dog park which became a popular gathering place for residents and their dogs. He also worked at the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus library and was a member of St. Gregory the Great Church. He loved animals, especially dogs, and owned several dachshund and shelties during his life. As a child, he delighted in the stories written by Albert Payson Terhune about his estate, Sunnybank, and the collie dogs that lived there. But it wasn’t until he was an adult that he discovered that Sunnybank was a real place and the dogs in the stories had really lived there. Believing there must be other people who had loved the stories as much as he did, he created a website about Sunnybank, sharing articles, photos, and excerpts from the books. In an age before social media, the site was popular and connected people who shared a love of collies and the Albert Payson Terhune stories. The site gave broader exposure to the Collie Health Foundation’s annual “Gathering” at Sunnybank, where fans could see the actual place they had read about in their childhood along with beautiful collies and their breeder/owners there to support the Foundation. During his life there were several organizations and causes that were important to him and that he gave generously to throughout his life including the Catholic church, the National Wildlife Federation, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and the ASPCA. Relatives and friends will be received at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield, VA 22152 on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 1:30PM followed immediately after by a memorial mass. Graveside to be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Paul’s honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the National Wildlife Federation, PBS, ASPCA or a charity of your choice. Please view and sign the family guestbook at www.jeffersonfuneralchapel.com.

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Paul F. Bradican

June 13, 1939 - July 25, 2026