Over the last 4 months, I have been thinking about and compiling some of my thoughts and memories of Paul. Many pop into my head as I reflect on our friendship and others come unexpectedly. I hope you can enjoy my memories; they bring you joy and peace. I worked with Paul at NEAQ starting in fall 2012 until the summer of 2021 when I changed my career path to Special Education. I knew PB before that. I met him years before when NEAQ's fur seal habitat was being remodeled and Paul, along with other trainers, spent time in Mystic, CT.  Even though PB had many more years of experience than me, he always treated me as an equal.  He never talked down to me and always made me feel good about my ideas and myself. It wasn't until I worked with him at NEAQ that I got to know him well and we celebrated many milestones together.  Paul and Lesae came to my wedding, came to summer bar-b-q's in my backyard, and held my baby boy.  Even though we never met in person, Whit was always present.  Paul's pride shone brightly when he showed pictures and shared Whit's accomplishments. Our NEAQ family was close and there was very little we didn't know about each other. We traded life tales daily. We laughed a lot. Paul was especially known for his "dad jokes."  Not many days went by when we didn't hear one. At one point we had a book that we wrote down his sayings in so we could remember them. He loved the animals almost as much as he loved his family.  I always thought it was the sweetest that he called Lesae every day and always ended with "Love you babe." It was heartwarming. Paul loved to share the seals with people. It seemed like he would do meet-and-greets daily for a friend, a friend of a friend, a stranger who smiled and said they liked animals.  Honestly, we would get annoyed how many people he let meet the seals.  But it was done with selfless, genuine love.  He was just that good of a guy when it came to doing nice things for others. It was easy to love PB and be his friend.

Lease,
My sincere condolences for your loss to you, your family and friends.

Michael Holliman

Lesae and Witt… I just found out about Paul. my sincere condolences to you. I have such wonderful memories of when the kids were young and he was their baseball coach. He was wonderful with the kids! I also was lucky enough to be your neighbor and friend. Sending you much love and healing. I am so sorry.

Margie and Andrew

I worked with Paul for almost a decade. He had such a kind, loving soul. Sometimes a father figure sometimes an annoying brother, always a mentor-a wealth of knowledge. Always a friend. I had seen him only a handful of times after I left the aquarium almost 8 years ago. But that does not matter. I loved him and always felt his love for me. It’s weird when you feel like your grief is not valid. Like it shouldn’t hurt this much. Shouldn’t be shedding so many tears over the last couple of weeks. The deep grief over losing someone you have known and loved, any time in your life, is true. It is valid. I will never forget you, I will always love you.

“New grief, when it came, you could feel filling the air. It took up all the room there was. The place itself, the whole place, became a reminder of the absence of the hurt or the dead or the missing one. I don’t believe that grief passes away. It has its time and place forever. More time is added to it; it becomes a story within a story. But grief and griever alike endure.”
Wendell Berry

My all time favorite photo of us…this is the image I will always picture when thinking of him.

Please except my deepest condolences on Paul’s passing. He was an exceptional trainer and mentor, but above all, a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed.

Paul was an amazing mammal trainer. I will forever be grateful to him for allowing me the privilege of training his beloved Chacoda, the Atlantic harbor seal. He was an absolute gem, a champion of animals, and a true ocean steward. Prayers to his family, friends, and loved ones 🙏💕

Paul was among the first member of the New England Aquarium team that took me under his wing. He consistently showed up for those that needed help. I grew as a person and as a pinniped trainer because of his devotion to the love of animals. His loss will leave a large space in the team that can’t be filled. My thoughts are with his family. 
Thanks again, Paul.

Denise, Santos and I send our condolences n 🙏  that  our Heavenly Father will embrace you and the family with His everlasting  Peace. We hold U close in our hearts and prayers.

Paul and I experienced a lot together over our 30+ years at New England Aquarium. From Miami to Boston, orcas, pilot whales, and dolphins to seals, sea lions, and sea otters, pinniped births, marine mammal strandings, rehabs and releases, surgeries, transports - as well as sharing some wonderful moments outside of the Aquarium.  The most amazing was when Lesae and Paul let some of us visit 45 minutes after Whit was born. They even let us hold him! From then on,  Paul shared his proud papa moments and we regularly exchanged stories  about  how wonderful  Whit and my kids are.  

Paul always provided a comforting shoulder and a hug to empathize with any of us going through a rough time, and I hope that I did the same for him. He was one of a kind, truly one of a kind.  I loved him a ton and will miss him even more. So grateful that our paths crossed in this lifetime. 

My heart aches for Lesae, Whit, and Paul's sisters.  I hope that the happy memories will give you comfort and joy going forward. All my love to you all.

The veterinarians expressed a desire to get Xrays of the snakes in a straight line rather than curled up. Paul gradually reduced the size of the pipe they were comfortable going through, until they were willing to go into one narrow enough to maintain a straight line position for a segment of their body.  Then he taught them to stop for the Xray and move forward a bit to position for the next Xray.

When NEAq was renovating the sea lion exhibit, the trainers had a chance to work with various other species. Paul chose to enrich the anacondas' lives by bringing them to our offices, letting them explore, and training them. He was so sweet and patient with these snakes. Really wonderful! He gave me a whole new perspective on snakes. I loved snake time with Paulie.

My deepest condolences. Paul was, is, and will always be a class act.

Here Paul is in full mentor mode way back in 2018,  regaling Larkin in updates on all the pinnipeds, their mutual obsession. She chronicled Ron’s data for all the years he was there and then presented it to Paul as “The Ronicles”. He took such interest in her education and dreams.  She heads off to college this fall to study environmental sciences with a focus on marine studies.  His impact and influence on her life was profound. We are so grateful to have known him and so sorry for his loss. All our love to his family.

My sincerest condolences to Paul’s family and friends. Paul was a pivotal part of my venture into marine biology and a great friend. I remember our times working together at the Aquarium and the moments we shared at local establishments including the beloved cigar bars. I’ll never forget the jeep he owned that I was terrified to drive one late night when I realized you had to turn the steering wheel right to go left and vice versa. Luckily we made it home safe. I am sorry I didn’t stay more connected over the years. I wish the best for Whit and Lisa. Spending time with you all in Brookline is something I will always remember. Peace to you all.

Lesae, I was lucky enough to meet Paul 10 years ago when he welcomed me and my kids for an up-close encounter with Chuck the harbor seal at the Boston Aquarium.  We had the best time! It was so special, and to this day they remember how much fun they had feeling like VIPs! I didn't kiss Chuck, but I have a photo with all 3 kids getting one! It is a special memory thanks to Paul. I could tell right away he was a good man, a lover of animals and very kind and funny too! I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this time and sending you big hugs! Love, Jodie Nease xoxo

Dearest Lesae and Whit and family,
Joe and I are so sadden by the loss of Paul.  He was a wonderful friend and I will always remember him singing in all our high school musicals (west side story was a favorite )and most of all singing to Lesae. He will be missed, but I know he will looking down on you both or sending you one of his favorite songs. 
Love you BFF forever  xoxo

OBITUARY

Paul Bradley

August 5, 1959 – April 2, 2024

J.S. Waterman Langone Chapel

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