Bradford Silliman

Bradford Silliman, of Savannah, Tennessee, gently passed on Sunday morning, July 22nd, in his home and with the company of his family.
Mr. Silliman was born October 18th, 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the first child born to Mr. Charles Vrtacek Silliman and Mrs. Dorothy McGuffin Silliman (Conomos). He is survived by mother Dorothy, of Orlando, Florida, and by his daughter Chloe Silliman, son-in-law Walter Leake, and his grandchildren Veronica and Benjamin Leake, of Denver, Colorado. He is survived by sister Mia Duay and husband Greg Williams, of Marietta, Georgia, and nephew Teddy Duay, of Plantation, Florida; his sister Joanna Faath and husband Ed Faath, of Orlando, Florida, and nieces Natalie Palmadesso and Allison Burke; his brother Andrew Conomos, of Yahala, Florida, and his brother Chris Conomos and wife Stacy Conomos, of Oviedo, Florida, and nephew Jordan Conomos. Brad also leaves behind two beloved dogs, Sancho and Zippy. He was preceded in death by his father Charles Silliman and his stepfather, William Conomos.
Bradford spent his childhood and some years after living in and near Orlando, Florida, but also lived in Port Huron, Michigan; Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; Denver and Las Animas, Colorado. He finally settled in Savannah, Tennessee. He leaves behind many dear friends in the places he has called home.
Mr. Silliman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1966. He fought in the Vietnam War until May of 1969. As a corporal, he received the Good Conduct Medal, pistol and rifle marksmanship badges, the Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one star. He did not like to talk about his time in Vietnam, but he was proud to have served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Throughout his life he worked in a variety of careers. He was an author and journalist, and wrote for Savannah’s newspaper, The Courier, and newspapers in Florida. He was a regional manager for Scholastic Bookfairs in the late 70s through early 80s. He enjoyed landscaping and gardening, and worked in horticulture at various points. His last position was with CCA, working inside prisons as a substance abuse counselor, in Colorado and Tennessee.
Mr. Silliman spent his life seeking an effective treatment for the debilitating symptoms of PTSD he experienced after returning from his tours of duty in Vietnam. That search led him to 12 step groups, where he was able to find long-term sobriety and a way of life that gave him a greater sense of purpose and peace. He spent the last 20 years of his life using his resources to aid in the recovery of those afflicted by addiction, and their families. In this search, he was touched and humbled by the redemptive and overwhelming love and forgiveness he attributed to his personal savior, Jesus Christ. His life’s goal was to be of real service to those in need, to be a light in the world. Mr. Silliman also loved animals and worked to help create more resources for abandoned and homeless animals in Hardin County.
A service in remembrance will be held Thursday, July 26th, at 11:00 am, at the First Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Tennessee, all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hardin County Animal Services or an animal shelter of your choice. Special thanks to the caring staff of Unity Hospice and Darryl Worley Cancer Center.