A native of Akron, Ohio, Commissioner Bradford lived in Florida for 40 years – moving to Pasco 21 years ago. Before joining Pasco County Government, Commissioner Bradford served with the Tampa Police Department for 25 years. He was a strong supporter of public safety and served as a trusted advisor on the boards and committees of numerous community organizations. Always eager to learn and share his experiences, he was a recent graduate of Leadership Pasco, Class of 2022.

“I’m shocked and saddened to hear the news of Commissioner Bradford’s passing,” says Board Chair Ron Oakley. “My heart goes out to his family. He always had unwavering support for our law enforcement, firefighters, employees and citizens of Pasco County. I appreciate his unwavering support for doing what’s right for the citizens of Pasco County. His passing is a great loss.”

“I had the wonderful honor to serve with Commission Vice Chairman Gary Bradford,” says Commissioner Seth Weightman. “Gary and his family fought a difficult battle and endured a tragic loss. He will be sorely missed. I’m thankful for his lifetime of dedicated service to the law enforcement community and to the people of Pasco County. Our prayers are with his family during this challenging time.”

“The passing of Commissioner Gary Bradford is a profound loss felt deeply by all who knew him,” says Commissioner Kathyrn Starkey. “A man of dignity, Gary embodied the values of hard work and lived life with a vibrant spirit that touched everyone around him. I know that being elected a Pasco County Commissioner was a dream job for him. During his term, he served with passion and made a lasting impact.”

“It was easy to be in a room with Commissioner Bradford because he always made you feel welcome,” says Commissioner Jack Mariano. “Our community must take time to grieve with his family, honor his memory and celebrate his zest for life.”

“Gary had a servant’s heart and loved Pasco County,” says County Administrator Mike Carballa. “He was vibrant and engaging – with a genuine curiosity for what our team members do day-to-day to serve our community. I recall on numerous visits to the office how he would visit the team just to chat or learn something. His upbeat and encouraging disposition made him a true statesman – a trustworthy consensus builder, always working to a find a solution with the public’s best interests in mind.”

“Commissioner Bradford was always a public servant – from his days in law enforcement to this chapter of his career as a commissioner,” says Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder. “It was an honor to work with him for the past two years.”