Francis Moors Bradley, M.D., 67, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, died peacefully on November 26, 2024, surrounded by his immediate family. He succumbed to a lifelong battle with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which he had faced so bravely, quietly and intellectually that he lived longer than anyone imagined.
He was born on May 31,1957, in Boston to his late parents, Jane Carpenter Bradley and John Moors Bradley. Frank was the beloved husband of Adrienne Withers Bradley, M.D., with whom he shared 37 years of marriage. They met on the first day of medical school, and from that moment on he was in her heart, mind, and soul. He is the father of their cherished daughters, Camilla Cabot Bradley and Cecily Moors Bradley. He is survived by his wife and daughters, as well as his three siblings, Ralph Bradley, Juliet Bradley, and Didi Blau.
Dr. Bradley attended and graduated from Shore Country Day School ‘71, Saint Paul’s School ’75, Harvard University ’79, and Hahnemann University Medical School ’86. He was the top of his class in medical school.
At graduation, his future brother-in-law stated that he was exhausted from having to stand up and clap so many times as Frank won almost every award. Additionally, he completed a five-year radiology residency at New England Deaconess Hospital and a fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital in “cross-sectional” imaging. He then returned to NEDH/Beth Israel Hospital, as head of mammography and was a leader in establishing stereotactic breast biopsies.
Since boyhood Frank was a gifted and graceful athlete who embraced sports joyfully in every season. Whether skiing down snow-covered slopes, picking up a random game of ice hockey on any patch of frozen water he could find, playing tennis, windsurfing with his dog atop his board or casting a line while fishing off the rocks at Eaglehead, he noticed and appreciated nature around him. These playful endeavors allowed him to fulfill his sense of adventure, competition, joy in friends, and mere quiet contemplation.
In early mid-life, his joint destruction worsened, but he remained hopeful and patient. With new medications often having intolerable side effects, he made the decision to step away from the intensity of hospital work and concentrate his time with his family. He realized physical and mental health must be a priority.
With community giving being important and modeled in his family, Frank taught Harvard radiology residents. He also donated his time to boards at Shore Country Day School, he was the chairperson of the Cabot Family Charitable Trust. In addition, he enjoyed being with his family and friends at various clubs where he was a member: Porcellian Club at Harvard University, Macanudo Investment Club, Essex County Club, Myopia Hunt Club, Manchester Yacht Club and Singing Beach Club, where he served as treasurer for many years.
Losing the ability to participate in rigorous sports, he turned to other pursuits: golf, hiking, boating and swimming. He was a naturalist at heart with a curious, scientific mind that was a sponge for the names of wildflowers, trees and land and sea creatures of all sorts. His enthusiasm was infectious, whether it was finding a slug or a salamander under a log or one day coming out of the Caribbean Sea with an octopus that had climbed into his pocket. This less frenetic time allowed deeper connections and appreciation of his family and friends as never before. His delight and wonderment in life was constant. Frank was a magnet. People just wanted to be in his company. To know Frank was to love him. He will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Frank’s Life will be held on Saturday June 7, 2025, at 11a.m. at the Singing Beach Club, 117 Beach Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Contributions may be made in Frank’s name “Francis Moors Bradly, M.D.” to support the Rheumatology Fund for Research and Innovation at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital led by Michael Weinblatt, M.D. his longtime medical provider and researcher. Checks may be mailed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Development Office, 263 Huntington Avenue, #318, Boston, MA 02115 or visit bwhgiving.org/memorial to make a gift online. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
