EvanL
04-03-2004, 01:55 PM
Canadian Press
April 2, 2004
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VICTORIA -- Some 200 friends and relatives of a security expert ambushed and killed this week in Iraq gathered Thursday to remember an adventurer and family man.
Andy Bradsell, 33, died last Sunday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul while blocking gunfire directed at his convoy, which was protecting a General Electric executive.
Bradsell was married to Victoria journalist Tasha Larson, a former television anchor at the local New VI television station.
The couple had three children, all of whom attended the memorial service in Victoria, which was conducted by Bradsell's father, a retired minister.
Tycho, 9, took a deep breath before sharing his memories with the crowd.
"My dad bought me a bow and arrow, a rifle and a slingshot and a bike for Easter," he said. "Let's just say he was the best dad ever. I will never forget him."
One friend laughingly remembered Bradsell as he was in high school, all tattoos, earrings and tough guy demeanour.
When the teenager's family had a litter of kittens to give away, he grilled prospective owners on the quality of home the animal would have.
"I believe Andy is now on a new adventure, seeing old friends and making new ones," said Bob Cramer, an old friend of Bradsell. "I believe he's blazing a trail for us all."
Larson will leave in a few days for London where she will pick up her husband's body and accompany it back to Canada.
When masked gunmen ambushed his convoy Sunday, the former British marine and his partner sped forward to put themselves between the gunmen and the client.
The other vehicle sped ahead and got away safely, but Bradsell and his partner were killed.
© Canadian Press 2
RIP
April 2, 2004
ADVERTISEMENT
VICTORIA -- Some 200 friends and relatives of a security expert ambushed and killed this week in Iraq gathered Thursday to remember an adventurer and family man.
Andy Bradsell, 33, died last Sunday in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul while blocking gunfire directed at his convoy, which was protecting a General Electric executive.
Bradsell was married to Victoria journalist Tasha Larson, a former television anchor at the local New VI television station.
The couple had three children, all of whom attended the memorial service in Victoria, which was conducted by Bradsell's father, a retired minister.
Tycho, 9, took a deep breath before sharing his memories with the crowd.
"My dad bought me a bow and arrow, a rifle and a slingshot and a bike for Easter," he said. "Let's just say he was the best dad ever. I will never forget him."
One friend laughingly remembered Bradsell as he was in high school, all tattoos, earrings and tough guy demeanour.
When the teenager's family had a litter of kittens to give away, he grilled prospective owners on the quality of home the animal would have.
"I believe Andy is now on a new adventure, seeing old friends and making new ones," said Bob Cramer, an old friend of Bradsell. "I believe he's blazing a trail for us all."
Larson will leave in a few days for London where she will pick up her husband's body and accompany it back to Canada.
When masked gunmen ambushed his convoy Sunday, the former British marine and his partner sped forward to put themselves between the gunmen and the client.
The other vehicle sped ahead and got away safely, but Bradsell and his partner were killed.
© Canadian Press 2
RIP