Obituary for CWO Bradley Raymond Sike (USN ret.)
CWO4 Bradley Raymond Sike (USN RET), went on to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. Going by the name Brad, he was 80 years old when he passed away.
He was a long time resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was born on April 29, 1941 in Sharon, Pennsylvania to the late Stephen Sike and Dorothy Pringle. Brad graduated from Greenville High School of Pennsylvania in June of 1959. He attended Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia where he attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies in August of 1988. In December of 1990 he earned a Master of Business Administration in Management from Golden Gate University.
Brad enlisted in the Naval Reserve’s in February of 1960. After enlisting in the United States Navy in August 1961, he attended Electricians Mate "A" School. He then attained the rank of Senior Chief Electricians Mate and later gained the rank of Senior Chief Warrant Officer in April of 1982. Chief Warrant Officer Sike served on the USS Pensacola (LSD-38) as the Electrical Officer from July 1982 to July 1985 and on the USS Vulcan (AR-5) as the Electrical Repair Officer from August 1985 to December 1987. In January 1998, he assumed command of the Dynamic (AFDL-6).
Chief Warrant Officer Sike’s decorations included: Navy Commendation Medals (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medals (3 awards), Meritorious Unit Commendations, Battle Efficiency E Ribbon (2 awards), and Good Conduct Medal (4 awards).
Brad Sike was very active in his local community, serving as past president of both the Chesapeake Beach Civic League and of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations. He was very passionate about his local church, Bayside Christian Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia where he served on committees, including President of the Bayside Children’s Church daycare and as a Deacon.
During his lifetime Brad was an avid sports fan and athlete. He wrestled in college and helped coach his only son, Bradley Raymond Sike II. Brad also coached his son in little league baseball and his three daughters, Denise, Cheri and Lori, in softball. He cheered for Washington before becoming an avid Pittsburg Steeler’s fan. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, hunting and was a connoisseur of collecting wine.
Brad celebrated 58 years of marriage to Mary M. Cooper Sike, formally of Marion, Virginia. They have three daughters, Denise Sike who shares an April 29th birthday with her father, Cheri Best of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Lori Zarnesky of Marion, Virginia. Their only son, Bradley Raymond Sike II passed recently on April 14, 2022 at the age of 56 from the effects of COVID. Grandchildren include Brittany Sike Porter, Aaron Berman, Michael Zarnesky, Rachel Berman Delsignore, Austin Zarnesky, Sonya Zarnesky Hamilton, Paul Best, and Brady Best. Great grandchildren include Edie Porter Jr., Kennith Raymond Berman, and Isabelle Porter.
Mr. Sike is also survived by his step mother Nicole Sike, a brother Randal Sike, and his sisters Jennie McClure, Verna North, and Deborah Dietz.
He was a devoted father, family man, husband, friend, and mentor. His family would also like to thank you all for the love, support, and most importantly the prayers.
A celebration of Brad's life will be held on May 19, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. He will be laid to rest, following a brief graveside service including military honors, on May 20, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk. Please visit his webpage at www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a note of condolence to the family.
He was a long time resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was born on April 29, 1941 in Sharon, Pennsylvania to the late Stephen Sike and Dorothy Pringle. Brad graduated from Greenville High School of Pennsylvania in June of 1959. He attended Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia where he attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies in August of 1988. In December of 1990 he earned a Master of Business Administration in Management from Golden Gate University.
Brad enlisted in the Naval Reserve’s in February of 1960. After enlisting in the United States Navy in August 1961, he attended Electricians Mate "A" School. He then attained the rank of Senior Chief Electricians Mate and later gained the rank of Senior Chief Warrant Officer in April of 1982. Chief Warrant Officer Sike served on the USS Pensacola (LSD-38) as the Electrical Officer from July 1982 to July 1985 and on the USS Vulcan (AR-5) as the Electrical Repair Officer from August 1985 to December 1987. In January 1998, he assumed command of the Dynamic (AFDL-6).
Chief Warrant Officer Sike’s decorations included: Navy Commendation Medals (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medals (3 awards), Meritorious Unit Commendations, Battle Efficiency E Ribbon (2 awards), and Good Conduct Medal (4 awards).
Brad Sike was very active in his local community, serving as past president of both the Chesapeake Beach Civic League and of the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations. He was very passionate about his local church, Bayside Christian Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia where he served on committees, including President of the Bayside Children’s Church daycare and as a Deacon.
During his lifetime Brad was an avid sports fan and athlete. He wrestled in college and helped coach his only son, Bradley Raymond Sike II. Brad also coached his son in little league baseball and his three daughters, Denise, Cheri and Lori, in softball. He cheered for Washington before becoming an avid Pittsburg Steeler’s fan. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, hunting and was a connoisseur of collecting wine.
Brad celebrated 58 years of marriage to Mary M. Cooper Sike, formally of Marion, Virginia. They have three daughters, Denise Sike who shares an April 29th birthday with her father, Cheri Best of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Lori Zarnesky of Marion, Virginia. Their only son, Bradley Raymond Sike II passed recently on April 14, 2022 at the age of 56 from the effects of COVID. Grandchildren include Brittany Sike Porter, Aaron Berman, Michael Zarnesky, Rachel Berman Delsignore, Austin Zarnesky, Sonya Zarnesky Hamilton, Paul Best, and Brady Best. Great grandchildren include Edie Porter Jr., Kennith Raymond Berman, and Isabelle Porter.
Mr. Sike is also survived by his step mother Nicole Sike, a brother Randal Sike, and his sisters Jennie McClure, Verna North, and Deborah Dietz.
He was a devoted father, family man, husband, friend, and mentor. His family would also like to thank you all for the love, support, and most importantly the prayers.
A celebration of Brad's life will be held on May 19, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. He will be laid to rest, following a brief graveside service including military honors, on May 20, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk. Please visit his webpage at www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a note of condolence to the family.