Bradford Herbert Elker, 79, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 19, 2018. Brad was born April 15, 1938, the son of Herbert R. Elker and Mildred Smith Elker. He grew up on “By the River Farm” on Oronoque Road in Milford and considered it home for most of his life. He was a kind and loving husband, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He graduated from Milford High School, then from the Wentworth Institute of Technology with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He served in the US Navy for over four years on the USS Willis A. Lee, as a Petty Officer Third Class. He worked at Western Electric and then went on to retire from SNET. After retirement, he continued work as a consultant for VOLT Telecommunications. He had a passion for pipe organs, which started in college and led to a lifelong avocation of the tuning and maintenance of organs around the area, and that fascination led him to visit many around the globe. He was active in many organizations; an original member of IEEE and a dedicated member of The American Institute of Organ Builders, The Organ Historical Society, The Milford Historical Society, The Milford Land Conservation Trust, and many others. He was also a lifelong member of First United Church of Christ, Congregational in Milford. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years Gail Meeson Elker (nee Spooner}, and stepsons Daniel Meeson and his wife Suzanne Lampe of Stratford and John Meeson and his wife Dawn of Trumbull, and was devoted to, delighted by, and proud of his grandsons Eric Meeson of Trumbull and Kevin Meeson of NYC. He is also survived by his brother Frederick Elker and his wife Gloria of Towanda, PA. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Barbara when she was six weeks old. Calling hours are Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Smith Funeral Home, 135 N. Broad St., Milford from 1pm to 4pm. A funeral service will be held following the visitation in First United Church of Christ, Congregational Church at 5pm. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Milford Historical Society, 34 High St, Milford, CT 06460 or American Institute of Organ Builders, P. O. Box 35306, Canton, OH 44735 or the First United Church of Christ, Congregational, Music Program, 34 West Main St., Milford, Ct 06460 or Beth El Center, 90 New Haven Ave. Milford, Ct. 06460.
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