Bradley Houston Hale
6/26/53 - 10/3/24
Bradley Houston Hale, age 71, of Wilmington, NC, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on Thursday, October 3, 2024. His exuberance for life, genuine warmth, and infectious sense of humor made him cherished by all who knew him.
Born on June 26, 1953, Bradley was the eldest child of Jane Fountain Hale and Rufus Houston Hale of Dover, MA. In 1960, his family moved to New Canaan, CT, where he attended The New Canaan Country School. Following the tradition of his grandfather and father, Bradley spent his high school years studying and playing varsity sports at Milton Academy in Milton, MA. He brought his talents in baseball, hockey, and soccer to Lake Forest College in Chicago, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1975.
After graduating, Bradley began his lifelong career in textiles through the Milliken training program in Spartanburg, SC. Upon completing the program, he moved to New York where he joined the Milliken sales team. He loved his time in New York, forming many friendships that he maintained throughout his life. In the early 1980s, Bradley returned to Massachusetts to work at Howe and Bainbridge, one of the oldest textile wholesalers in the country. It was there that he gained the business acumen necessary to launch his own company, Venture Textiles, now known as Haletex.
While his networking and sales efforts grew his business into a success, it was a phone call in December 1990 that changed his life forever – when he dialed Mary Elizabeth Henderson to ask her out on their first date. Sparks flew, and just 10 months later, on October 5, 1991, they exchanged vows and began a marriage full of joy, laughter, adventure, and mutual adoration. The devoted couple settled in Wellesley, MA, creating a loving home as they grew their family.
After a particularly cold, snowy New England winter of 2004, Bradley proposed an idea to his family: “What do you think of moving to warmer weather?” Mary and their three young kids voted “yes,” and they packed up their belongings and migrated south to Wilmington, NC. Bradley quickly formed solid friendships and became active in his new community, coaching youth hockey at Wilmington Ice House and volunteering at Cape Fear Academy, where his children attended
Beyond his family and career, Bradley was happiest on the golf course, enjoying not only improving his own game but also helping others with theirs. A lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, Bradley’s passion for sports was undeniable, and some of his fondest memories involved cheering on his beloved Tar Heels in basketball and football. He enjoyed days on the beach, time in the North Carolina mountains, and traveling with his wife. At home, his pets brought him endless happiness, whether he was chipping balls to his dog Murphy in the backyard, snuggling with his dachshund, Dahlia, leading a canine chorus at mealtimes, or digitally tracking his black cat, Mojo.
Bradley is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 33 years, Mary Henderson Hale; his three children, Alden Fountain Hale of Brooklyn, NY, Abigail Hale Lindsay (Duncan) of Brooklyn, NY, Cooper Henderson Hale of Charlotte, NC; his sister, Sarah Hale Hughes (Mike) of Waitsfield, VT; his mother-in-law, Merle Masters Henderson of Jackson, MS; many nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Brad; and a long list of close friends and family. He was predeceased by his parents, Rufus Houston Hale and Jane Fountain Hale, his brother, Benjamin Frost Hale, and his father-in-law, Dr. Julian Crowder Henderson.
Bradley will forever be remembered for his kindness, quick wit, deep love for his family and friends, and the laughter he brought to those lucky enough to know him.
The family would like to thank Bradley’s medical teams at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center for their compassionate support and care.
A celebration of Bradley’s life will be held on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 3 p.m. at The Carolina Yacht Club, Wrightsville Beach, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to:
