John D. Bradley is being remembered as a kind and charitable giver, as well as a huge developer for Chatham-Kent.
Bradley passed away over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy that included the Wheels Inn, Chatham's Birdland subdivision and the Thames-Lea complex on Grand Ave. W.
Family friend Doug Sulman says Bradley had other, less well-known accomplishments.
"He led the fight to keep Union Gas in Chatham-Kent when there was a takeover going on, and did it successfully. That's one of our biggest and best employers."
Sulman says he used to get car rides from Bradley, where he would learn of the developer's past experiences.
"One of his first ventures was he and his brothers selling Christmas trees. Then they decided to expand, buying some land up north where the trees were. In the end I don't think it worked out that successfully, but it was a good story."
Bradley was also one of the founding members of the Chatham-Kent Foundation. He died at the age of 90.