Obituary: Bradford Scott Cleaves

Bradford Scott Cleaves

PORTLAND – Bradford Scott Cleaves, 75, died Saturday, October 21, 2023. Born in June 1948 in Weymouth, Mass., Brad is survived by his wife Patricia Latham, his former wife Therese Bilodeau, his son Benjamin, daughter. Abigail, her husband Sundip, her grandchildren, Evelyn and Chander, and her many friends and family in Maine and Massachusetts.

Brad graduated from Weymouth High School in 1966. He then earned an AB in Psychology from Harvard University in 1970. After a brief stint working at the Bank of New England, he began working in construction. In 1985, Brad and two partners started their own general contracting company, D&C Construction. Starting with a single backhoe and an office in the corner of a flood-prone basement, Brad built the company into a regional general contracting business that completed infrastructure projects ranging from treatment plant overhauls of water until the installation of wind energy facilities. The company routinely took on projects that others would avoid. Many projects aligned with Brad’s commitment to the natural world: separating storm drains to protect water bodies, removing dams so fish could spawn, and building recreational trails on Nantucket and along the Charles River . At the helm of D&C, Brad cultivated a tight-knit team where many colleagues and employees saw him as a close friend.

Brad loved nature and the outdoors, a passion that began in his youth when he explored the National Parks as an Eagle Scout. He had a deep appreciation for travel, whether it was embarking on an international adventure or spending a day in Casco Bay on his boat, “Anything Goes.” Brad was also an avid gardener, cultivating a large vegetable garden. He was most alive in the fresh air, in the forest and in the ocean.

An accomplished pianist from an early age, Brad enjoyed a deep and lifelong commitment to music. From Mozart to Bob Dylan, Chet Baker to Cole Porter, Brad was always surrounded by music. Most of all, he enjoyed an impromptu gathering of family and friends singing tunes around the piano. He spent many evenings entertaining his guests and was known as a skilled and often overly competitive card, dice and board game player.

Brad applied his many talents to serving the Portland Water District, where he campaigned for and won a trustee seat. He also served on the Board of Directors of South Shore Savings Bank and the Utility Contractors Association of New England (UCANE).

An amalgam of wit and intelligence, generosity and a quiet yet mischievous vitality, Brad will be missed beyond measure.

A memorial reception will be held at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland, on Sunday, October 29, beginning at noon.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Cleaves family.

Instead of flowers,

the family kindly requests that charitable donations be made

be made at Brad’s

memory to:

National Fauna

Federation

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