Carol J. Bradley Gesner

Carol Josephine Bradley Gesner, 97, a lifelong resident of Branford, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 28, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Edwin E. Gesner.

She was born on December 21, 1924, to the late Milton and Grace (Avery) Bradley.

Carol grew up in Branford Point and spent her youth enjoying the beach and swimming and sailing with neighborhood friends. She attended Branford schools and later graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her first job after graduation was at a New Haven advertising firm where her specialty was calligraphy. She met her future husband, Edwin, while walking home from the Branford Point beach and they were married in 1947. Soon they built their home in Pawson Park where Carol has lived ever since.

A talented artist, Carol was also an avid gardener and a member of the Branford Garden Club for many years. She could make any bunch of flowers into a beautiful arrangement, and her home was filled with many of her artistic creations.

Carol and Ed raised first Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and later Labrador Retrievers. Carol was an expert marksman and spent many Fall and Winter days perched on a rocky island in Long Island Sound with her husband, Ed, her Chesapeakes and decoys as they hunted for ducks. She later became active in the field trial world and travelled to competitions all over the country. She was an active member of the American Kennel Club, as well as the Shoreline Retriever Club.

In later life Carol volunteered for many years at the Homemaker Thrift Shop in Branford. She enjoyed reading, knitting, cooking and especially her bridge games with family and friends. She played a weekly bridge game every week until the end of her life.

Carol is survived by her sister, Nancy Bradley Kahl and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, all of whom she was immensely proud.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brother Robert Bradley.

Her family would like to thank Carol’s care giver, Clara Asantewaa, for the loving care and assistance she provided for Carol for the past year, as well as her wonderful nurses and personnel at VNA Community Healthcare and Hospice.

A private celebration of Carol’s life will be held by her family at a later date. Donations in Carol’s memory may be made to VNA Community Healthcare and Hospice, 753 Boston Post Rd. Suite 200, Guilford, CT 06437. For online condolences please visit www. cremationct.com