Dal was born in Vancouver, BC to parents Percival (Percy) and Lily Bradley and raised on Capitol Hill, Burnaby, BC with 5 siblings. On school breaks he stayed at the family vacation home in White Rock, BC, fishing and working as a caddy and golfing at Peace Portal Golf Course.
During WWII he served in the navy on an oil tanker HMCS Dundurn, refuelling escort vessels, in the Atlantic. After the war, he moved to White Rock and worked 6 nights per week delivering The Province newspaper as well as a mover under the name D.G. Bradley Cartage. In 1975, he worked for two years as groundskeeper at Hazelmere Golf Course and in 1977 he moved permanently to waterfront property he bought, in 1962, on Galiano Island, working until retirement, as groundskeeper at the Galiano Golf Course, where he was able to pursue his love of fishing, golfing, and hiking along with a dog as a constant companion. He lived independently still driving and cooking for himself until September 16, 2019 when at 95 years of age, he moved to independent living at White Rock Seniors Village and then to RHSV on March 20, 2020.
He loved the outdoors and nature and later in his life he spent time travelling, fishing, hiking, hunting, and golfing in BC and Alberta as well as extended trips throughout BC, the Yukon and Alaska.
Friends and family describe him as humorous, caring, and loved listening to his many stories of his life journey.
He is survived and mourned by 5 children, three of whom, Gail, Dave (Diane), and Carol (Larry) he raised as a single parent from the summer of 1954 until November, 1963 when he remarried and had two more children, Steve and Gord as well as 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one step great-grandchild, and one step-great-great-grandchild.
A family graveside service will be held by the family, at a later date.
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