Bradley Terrence Ardell, M.D.
December 18, 1978 - September 26, 2008

It is with profound sorrow that the family announces the sudden passing of their beloved son and brother, Bradley Jordan Terrence Ardell, of Vanscoy, Saskatchewan on Friday, September 26th, 2008. Bradley was born December 18th, 1978 to Terry and Joanne Ardell. He attended Vanscoy Elementary School and Delisle Composite High School where he was the SRC President in his grade 12 year. Brad attended the University of Saskatchewan, obtaining an undergraduate degree in Psychology with great distinction and achieved his dream, completing his medical degree with distinction in 2006. He was presently in his third year of an orthopaedic surgical residency at the Royal University Hospital.

Bradley had a true "prairie spirit" hard working, dependable, selfless, warm and considerate to all he knew. He exemplified compassion, empathy and care to family, friends, colleagues and patients alike. Brad was raised with strong moral values rooted in honesty and integrity. He was a man of great character and was an independent spirit. Brad treated every day as a challenge and an opportunity for accomplishment and achievement. He was innovative and a creative thinker. No obstacle was insurmountable. Whether volunteering abroad doing medical work in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo or the Scandinavian countries or in Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua where he did missions work, or whether adventuring in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Alaska or Mexico, Bradley was enthusiastic and always returned with a story to tell and a new adventure planned. He was a passionate hunter making "Ironman" trips up North to places like Hudson Bay and the Clearwater River. Brad was also an avid canoeist taking trips up to the Churchill River system and throughout Western Canada. He thrived in the outdoors becoming a skilled camper (summer and winter), kayaker, fisherman, biker, and skier downhill and water. Bradley loved to do the extraordinary and could be found ditch skiing with his brothers and friends after spring meltdown on the family farm at Vanscoy.

Bradley was devoted to his family and loved taking trips with them to the mountains to ski, Maui to enjoy the surf and sun and to the family cabin at Christopher Lake. Brad and "The Brothers" shared a unique and unparalleled closeness that played out with the sharing of many adventures and heartfelt reflective discussions.

Bradley had a deep faith in God which was ignited by a missions trip he took to Central America with Samaritan's Purse in his grade 12 year. He truly exemplified the commandments spoken by Jesus from the Bible in the book of Matthew which says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself." Bradley is survived by his parents, Terry and Joanne; his brothers, Michael and James; his grandparents, Roy and Margaret Ardell and Marvin and Elenora Goosen; his aunts and uncles and 23 cousins. Bradley leaves a legacy of faith and inspiration to all who knew him. He will be forever loved and missed. "If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again."

Published in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix October 1, 2008