Paul Mayberry Bradley, Jr., an architect and artist, died at his Wilton Manors home January 19, 2014. He was 91.

Paul Bradley was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents moved to New Jersey where he attended Atlantic City High School. Paul trained in the Army at Camp Butner in North Carolina. He served in the Army during World War II and was wounded in action by German artillery fire. He returned home in 1946, married his high school sweetheart Barbara, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. In 1950, the couple moved to Broward County, where he worked as an architect.

Paul Bradley worked throughout South Florida in the development and construction of public works, hotels, and subdivisions. Paul was also an artist who specialized in pen and ink drawings; with subjects such as lighthouses, nature landscapes, military airplanes & ships as well as depictions of WWII battles. Paul Bradley was a Director at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association, which oversees this Museum. He donated many of his line drawings which you can see on exhibit.


On May 2011, NASFL Museum President Allan McElhiney presented a plaque to member Paul Bradley, in recognition for his many years of outstanding dedication and contribution to military history.

Mr. Bradley illustrated books, including "Florida Lighthouse Trail" in 2001. His artwork reached national prominence in 2003 when the Postal Service unveiled a commemorative stamped envelope emblazoned with a rendition of the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse he created. Auctions of his artwork of the 30 historic lighthouses in Florida helped raise money for the restoration of this historic Lighthouse. He helped found the Florida Lighthouse Association in 1996 and served on the board from 2003 - 07.

Mr. Bradley is pre-deceased by one son and his wife. In addition to his daughter Pat Bradley, of Coral Springs, he is survived by daughters Barbara Bradley, of Albuquerque, N.M.; Sherry Bradley, of Santa Fe, N.M.; son Peter Bradley, of Pompano Beach; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Burial with military honors will be Friday, February 6, at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth.

His love of Florida lighthouses helped create an organization dedicated to preserving them, and his artwork of the structures with powerful beams meant to guide ships to shore was lauded by the U.S. Postal Service.