Four Generations of the Bradley Family Shape Their Hometown’s Story
For more than 80 years, the Bradley family has lived, learned and thrived in Avon. What began with a hardworking farmer in the 1940s has evolved into a legacy spanning four generations, deeply rooted in the schools and community that have shaped the town’s story.
The Bradley family’s ties to Avon trace back to Glenn Bradley, who owned farmland at 100 South and Raceway Road in the 1940s. Glenn wasn’t just a farmer — he was a community leader. He served on the Avon School Board in the 1960s and early 1970s, and even drove a school bus. His dedication set the tone for future generations of Bradleys, who would go on to weave their lives into the town’s fabric.
Glenn’s sons, including Geoff Bradley Sr. and Harry Bradley, continued the family’s Avon legacy. Geoff Sr. graduated from Avon High School in 1958, while Harry graduated a few years earlier in 1954. Their Avon experience was one of small-town charm — Geoff Sr.’s graduating class had just 28 students.
By the 1970s, Avon was still a small, rural community, but the Bradley family’s roots remained firmly planted. Geoff Bradley Jr., Glenn’s grandson, graduated in 1978. His sisters, Andrea and Jill, followed close behind in 1979 and 1983, respectively. Geoff Jr.’s cousins, Kathy Bradley Strahm (1974) and Kelly Bradley Siddons (1976), also graduated from Avon High School.
Geoff Jr. recalls how different Avon looked in those days.
“My graduating class had about 165 students,” he says. “Now, my grandson’s freshman class alone has nearly a thousand.”
That rapid growth is one of the most significant changes the family has experienced over the decades.
Even as the town expanded, the Bradleys stayed connected to their roots. Glenn used portions of his farmland to help Avon grow. He subdivided the lots and sold them to builders, creating neighborhoods where new families could establish roots. To make it personal, he named many of the streets after his grandchildren. Bradley Drive, Andrea Court, Kathy Lane and Kelly Court still stand as a lasting testament to the family’s presence in Avon.
The Bradley legacy continued into the 2000s. Scott Strahm, the son of Geoff Jr.’s cousin, graduated from Avon High School in 2002, marking the third generation to walk its halls. Today, the fourth generation carries on the tradition — one of Geoff Jr.’s grandchildren is a freshman at Avon High School, while another is a seventh grader at Avon South Middle School.
The connection to the schools is more than symbolic — it’s a family identity. From the one-building high school of the 1950s to today’s sprawling campus and eight elementary schools, the Bradleys have witnessed every stage of Avon’s educational transformation.
Despite all the changes, the Bradleys have remained steadfast in their commitment to Avon. For Geoff Jr., the decision to stay is a simple one.
“The schools have managed to keep pace with the town’s growth, and the community is making thoughtful plans for the future,” he says. “There’s so much to do here now, but it still feels like home.”
From farm fields to subdivisions, from graduating classes of 28 to nearly 1,000, the Bradley family has witnessed Avon’s growth while contributing to its progress. Their story is one of continuity and hometown pride — and a reminder that the roots of a community run deepest when families stay to nurture them.
Comments 2
I completely understand as our family was among the first in Avon. Our roots run deep. Thank you for sharing your story. I know the Bradly’s as Kathy was on my broker’s class and Kelly mine. Again thank you.
Proud to have had Geoff Jr, both his sisters, & his cousin’s son Scott in my classes at AHS. Also,
Geoff Sr. was Athletic Director at Plainfield Middle School where my son was an athlete. So, I know this family well and can attest to their integrity, their excellence and their community support. What a great family to feature as representative of the best of Avon.