Reverend Kenneth Raymond Bradsell, 77, passed peacefully at his home in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, Aug. 6, 2025.

Ken Bradsell was born in New York City on March 9, 1948 to Captain Robert Husted Bradsell and Doris Pennie Bradsell and raised in suburban River Edge, New Jersey. He graduated from River Dell High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from Hope College in 1970.

Ken joined the staff of the Ottawa County Community Mental Health Service in Holland, Michigan where he met his wife of 52 years, Marcia Ann Bradsell. They were married June 25, 1971. Ken entered New Brunswick Theological Seminary earning a Master of Divinity in 1974 followed by a Sacred Master of Theology, Psychology & Religion from Union Theological Seminary in New York.

Ken began his prolific and charismatic career as a preacher serving as associate minister at Community Church of Douglaston in New York. Ken had an intrepid spirit of adventure, love of the sea and all things boats influenced by his father, Captain Bradsell. His love of service and community nurtured by his beloved grandmother, Lillian Pennie.

Ken’s first church as lead pastor was Blawenburg Reformed Church in Blawenburg, New Jersey where he met and maintained lifelong friends and fellow adventurers. He was known for his compassionate pastoral service, memorable children’s sermons and community assistance through the Volunteer Fire Department.

In 1981 Ken was chosen to join the thriving ministry at First Church in Albany, the oldest church in upstate New York and the second oldest church of the Reformed Church in America (RCA). Ken honed his sought-after storytelling from the pulpit in Albany, New York before joining the denominational staff of the RCA in 1984.

Ken and family spent the next 11 years in Crete, Illinois and Holland, Michigan while Ken served as Director of Discipleship developing educational curriculum for the RCA while guest preaching at parishes across the country, mentoring colleagues and growing in leadership, administrative and operational expertise. During those years, Ken and Marcia had many adventures with family on Lake Michigan, road trips to Maine and a variety of outdoor excursions. Always in search of a challenge, Ken began rehabilitating the older homes they lived in, “MacGyver style” as he was fond of saying.

These experiences would eventually lead Ken and family back East in 1995 to complete his stateside career at the Reformed Church in America General Synod as the Assistant General Secretary, Director of Operations and Executive Director of Benefit Services. It was while working at the RCA headquarters offices in New York City that Ken and Marcia joined the nearby prestigious Marble Collegiate Church, the oldest continuously operating Protestant congregation in North America and home to the Reformed Church in America.

Ken had a remarkable career in the Reformed Church. Early on he proved adept at pastoral work, counseling parishioners and finding ways to connect with people of all walks of life, in all areas of the country. Later, as he moved into administrative and leadership roles different skill sets joined his love of challenges that would ensure the church’s integrity and durability through many transitions. In fact, the RCA seemed to reserve their most difficult roles for Ken.

In 1994 he was an election observer in South Africa’s first free and fair election. He was perfect in that role as both a good listener and honest broker ensuring everyone felt seen and heard. Even in his retirement, he was tasked with building an ecumenical center in the Middle East welcoming Muslim & Christian worshippers alike in Muscat, Oman.

While always happy to discuss the church’s message, it was his role as proud parent that he treasured. Ken loved his time creating family traditions, including culinary adventures such as cooking his summer scallops and his Christmas morning waffles. He was always up for ski and snowboarding adventures, kayaking, sailing, fishing, hiking, and camping accompanied by his passionate storytelling and natural ability to navigate seemingly precarious situations.

After two years in Oman, Ken and Marcia returned to their dream home on Linekin Bay in Boothbay Harbor. Ken consulted on US & International nonprofits, embarked on the adventure of fully renovating their last home and sailing daily in the summer months. Ken and Marcia became active members of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.

After Marcia’s passing, Ken embraced a spiritual journey of reflection. Coming about to the excitement of life, he began building an adventurous relationship with Amy Gorman.

Ken lived as he preached, modestly and with the steadfast belief that he was making the world a better place.

Ironically or through the spirit of their lifelong connection, Ken took his last breath in the same location as Marcia’s, two and a half years after her and just a few feet away.

Ken leaves his beloved three children and their families: Adam Bradsell with wife Jenny Bierman and grandsons Sam and Beau (Old Greenwich, Connecticut); Mark Bradsell (Stowe, Vermont); and Navy Commander (sel) Rachel Rudrud with husband Jason and granddaughters Deanna and Harper (Alexandria, Virginia). He also leaves his partner, Amy Gorman, and her children, Andrew and Lina Minzer.

Ken was very much looking forward to coming to Washington, D.C. in September to see Rachel promote to Commander at the Pentagon Memorial.

Ken is also sorely missed by canine Gus, the latest in a long line of rescue dogs Ken and Marcia cared for throughout their life.

A memorial service will take place at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor in the fall of 2025, date and time is to be determined. At Ken’s request, interment is planned at the Marble Collegiate Church columbarium, a date and time in the fall of 2025, to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken’s memory to the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor Mission Committee or Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.