Media Release | April 22, 2024
Pasco County Media Relations & Communications
PASCO COUNTY, FL —- With great sadness, the Pasco Board of County Commissioners announces the passing of Pasco County Commission Vice Chair Gary Bradford. Commissioner Bradford passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024, with his loving wife, family and friends by his side.
Commissioner Bradford served our county with dedication and passion since he was elected in 2022.
A few months after joining the county, Commissioner Bradford was diagnosed with leukemia, but
as a testament to his strength and spirit, he never missed an opportunity to attend important events
and meetings representing Pasco.
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.”
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