Brad Ashford
November 10, 1949 – April 19, 2022
VISITATION: Friday, April 22nd from 6:15pm to 7:30pm at Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 S. 86th St., followed by PRAYER SERVICE at 7:30pm. SERVICES: Saturday, April 23rd at 10am, Christ the King Catholic Church. Interment, Forest Lawn.
In lieu of flowers, food, and gifts, the family suggests donations to the following organizations: Inclusive Communities, 6001 Dodge St. #122, Omaha 68182; ReConnect, Inc., 1941 S. 42 St., Suite 515, Omaha 68105; Tri-Faith Initiative, 13136 Faith Plaza, Omaha 68144; Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court, c/o Douglas County District Court, 1701 Farnam St., Room 600, Omaha 68183.
To view live broadcasts of the Services, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.
16 Comments
Ann, John, Ellie, Tom, Carl and granddaughter, Rose Ellen.
Ann, I have known Brad since H.S. (’67) and my family (The Tomek’s) follow him closely. My sister-in-law, Deb Tomek, sent a text immediately this morning. We are all saddened by this tremendous loss and thinking of you and your family. My prayers have been with Brad and all of you every day since the original news. I wish I was better on Facebook and had posted more directly to him. I cried when I read the article tonight in the Omaha World Herald. Such great integrity, heart/soul and contribution in his life gifts to so many. He had such a huge array of friends, causes, influences and a strong voice for advocating. He fought many battles and I wish this was one he would have won. I have no doubt that he will be deeply missed and much appreciated for all he did and who he was. Indeed, his legacy will live on in a multitude of forms. Condolences and love to all of you. Bonnie
Our sincere condolences to the family of Brad Ashford. He touched many lives and will be missed. Our son Andy Hale worked for Brad when he was in Congress.
Stan & Kaye Hale
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Deepest sympathies to the Ashford family. I worked with Congressman Ashford when he first served in the Nebraska Legislature and subsequently in the U.S. House of Representative. He’s one of the kindest and genuinely good people that I know. He made everyone around him a better person, too.
Your family is in our hearts and thoughts as we send warmest sympathy to you all. Sincerely,
Kay Lynn and John Goldner
the ashford family has been so important to omaha and nebraska. thank you all for your efforts to make our lives better. i was lucky to meet and know brad. he will always be an inspiration.
Dear Ann and family,
My friend Brad was a very noble person. Not noble as in royalty, but rather he was noble as it should be defined. He was earnest in his zeal; he was faithful in his work and pure in his Faith; in his manners he was mild and alway courteous; in his mind he was calm, clear and thoughtful; and in his heart he was true and benevolent. He was gracious and genuine, had a warm heart, a real smile, a helping hand and a sense of appreciation. He understood that service to others was both a privilege and an obligation. He always served with poise as well as power. Brad leaves behind a wonderful legacy and a wonderful touch mark. Brad never did work for recognition, rather he always did work worthy of recognition. Yes, he served everyone with highest distinction. It is quite likely that the legacy he leaves might very well be–“that everything he touched…improved.
With deep sympathy to the Ashford family,
Allen J. Beermann
Former Secretary of State
So very sorry. Sending hugs love and prayers. Brad was a wonderful man. He was always smiling. No matter what.
Dear Ann and family, — I sent the story about Brad’s death to Colgate University, and the leaders send their condolences — as I do mine. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to visit Brad in Nebraska in recent years due to COVID. I got to know Brad as a transfer student from Gustavus Adolphus to Colgate — this made, by my count, four Nebraskans at Colgate. We were both history majors, and it probably is no surprise, given his policy wonk nature, that he took meticulous notes in the heavy-lecture courses, and then retyped them perfectly. This made him quite popular when it came to finals. Instead of studying the night before exams, we took Brad out for pizza and beer — and he generously shared his notes. Everyone won. Typical Brad.
Dear Ann — I ran out of space but wanted to add this. Today, I’ll wear my Big Red “Bugeaters” hoody around Chicago in his honor that Brad gave me and my kids when we visited Nebraska Clothing in the Old Market years ago. Brad often talked about his Swedish heritage, so here’s a tribute from the Gustavus choir — “Children of the Heavenly Father.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDQsrMVsHjA
We send our deepest sympathies. Brad was a great guy and a great leader and will be missed by many. He loved Nebraska and we are all better for it.
I am very saddened to hear the news of Brad’s passing. Our friendship goes way back to when we were basketball teammates at Westside. I have many fond memories of Brad, his parents and his brothers, Mark and Carl. Over the years I have followed his remarkable career in public service. During his career, Brad did many good things for the people of Nebraska and Omaha to make their lives better. My sincere condolences to the Ashford family.
Brad was a classmate, friend, and policy partner. He did more for the children of Nebraska than any other legislator, State or Federal. I will miss him.
I was an avid supporter of Mr. Ashford. And campaign for his defeat of Lee Terry. A famous political ad was created to defined Lee Terry as a fraud..l.wss in.that ad along.with.others.. I hope there are more like Brad in Nebraska . Prayers to the family. Sincerely, Lorraine.
Brad was our neighbor when he started his political career. We encouraged him to knock on every door seeking a vote. He did and he won. We have always been proud to say we were there when he started and have supported him ever since. Rest in peace!
To the Ashford Family,. I am so very sorry for your loss. Senator Ashford was a giant among men. He did so very much for our community and our veterans, for children. Always in a non-partisan way with the extraordinary ability to reach across the aisle with a great deal of thought, care and compassion. Thank you Senator Ashford for all of your hard work and endeavors. You will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace. In Christian Love and Caring. Judy A. Buono
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