Commissioner Gary Bradford Dies After Cancer Battle: Pasco County

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Commissioner Gary Bradford died Sunday evening with family and friends by his side, Pasco County government wrote in a Facebook post.

The District 4 commissioner died after a year-long battle with cancer, according to his campaign’s Facebook page. A memorial service is being planned.

He was elected to the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners in 2022 and his term will end in 2026.

“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,” the county wrote.

A native of Akron, Ohio, he lived in Florida for 40 years, moving to Pasco County 21 years ago.
Bradford served with the Tampa Police Department for 25 years, becoming a detective with the agency.

“I’m shocked and saddened to hear the news of Commissioner Bradford’s passing,” Board Chair Ron Oakley said. “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.”

Commissioner Kathyrn Starkey said, “The passing of Commissioner Gary Bradford is a profound loss felt deeply by all who knew him. 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.”

Bradford “always made you feel welcome” and had a “zest for life,” Commissioner Jack Mariano added.

“Gary had a servant’s heart and loved Pasco County,” County Administrator Mike Carballa said. “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 find a solution with the public’s best interests in mind.”