Obituary of Bradley William Shelswell

Shelswell, Bradley William “Brad” November 13,1953 - August 5, 2025 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brad Shelswell, on Tuesday August 5, 2025, at the age of 71. Brad was born in Orillia and grew up on the family farm in Uhthoff. The son of the late Harold and Betty (nee Winchester) Shelswell. Brad’s passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of those who loved him. He was the beloved husband of Ruth (née Holmes), He will be profoundly missed by his sons, Kyle (Michelle) and Colin (Ainslie), and his stepchildren, Vanessa Porter (Graham) and Scott Campbell, all of whom knew him as a steady support and teacher. Brad was a fun Grandpa, encouraging, and full of energy. His grandchildren, Alyssa, Hunter, Morgan, Colton, and Alexa, shared countless joyful moments with him, especially when he introduced them to his favourite pastimes. As the eldest of eight siblings, Brad’s unique blend of wit and wisdom earned him a special place in the family. He is remembered with love and a smile by Darrell (Elsa), Carol Scott (John), Joanne Kirby (Wayne), Jeffrey (Maria), Sandra Barnes (Barry), and Donna Charters (Peter), and predeceased by his sister Janis Beemer (Dave). Brad's generous heart extended to his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews — all of whom looked forward to his spirited role as Santa each Christmas, a tradition he relished. To his hunting and fishing companions, Brad was more than a friend — he was a storyteller, a firekeeper, and the spark behind many unforgettable adventures. Around every campfire, there will always be a space left for him, and memories of Brad will echo in the laughter and stories shared for years to come. Brad was a supervisor at Kubota for 35 years and introduced two sons to the business. He tried retirement, but didn’t like the hours, so he ran a repair business from his workshop for the rest of his life. If something needed tools, Brad had them, and he could fix it for you. His incredible work ethic extended to his church, where he was everything from handyman to sound engineer, and to fishing, where he caught… well, all of the fish, to hear him tell it. He loved camping, because he could put his tent way closer to the fish. His friends from church will remember that nothing stayed un-fixed for long, and his hunting and fishing buddies will remember his tall tales and love of the outdoors. All of us will remember a man who had a sly grin, a knack for solving problems, and who could always find time to help if you needed it. So what if he cheated at cards? If he didn’t get caught it wasn’t cheating. A special thank you to the staff of Mariposa House Hospice who provided incredible care for him in his last months and gave the family unending kindness and empathy. Also immense gratitude to Pastor Lindsay Stevenson and Reverend Edwin Smart for the time they have spent with Brad over the last several months. Our family is eternally grateful. A private family grave side service will be held at St. Andrews - St. James Cemetery in Orillia. Expressions of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to Mariposa House Hospice through Simcoe Funeral Home, 38 James Street East, Orillia. (705) 327-0221. Message of condolence are welcomed at www.simcoefuneralhome.ca.