August 1, 1940 – September 30, 2020
Brad Page, 80, of Pittsboro, passed away peacefully at home on September 30, 2020, from a long battle with congestive heart failure and cancer.
A beloved friend, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Brad is survived by his daughter, Angel Page-Fritchman of Pearlington, Mississippi; sons, Sean Vetter, Cedar Rapids, IA and John Russell Page of Madison, Wisconsin. He had one nephew, two nieces, five grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Brad is also survived by his half-sister, Stephanie Christopher Johnson, Travelers Rest, S.C.; and half-brother, Gregory James Swetak, Charlotte, N.C.
Brad was born to Gwendolyn Dotts and Joe Benjamin Page in Glendale, California. He lived in California as a young child until his Mother remarried (Robin James Swetak) and they relocated to Williams, Arizona. Brad loved Williams — The Gateway to the Grand Canyon — and even wrote a short story about his memories while living there.
He attended a prep school in New Hampshire where his father lived. After graduating, Brad joined the Navy and served for 10 years. Following an honorable discharge, he returned to Charlotte, N.C., to be with his family, graduated from UNCC with a degree in Economics and worked for the local paper — The Charlotte Observer. But it wasn’t long before he found his true love: carpentry. Brad began by working for a few remodeling companies and then eventually started his own business. By retirement, he had worked 47 years as a Master carpenter, performing high-quality carpentry work in upscale homes throughout the Charlotte area.
When Brad retired, he relocated to the N.C. Zen Center in Pittsboro, N.C., where he helped build structures on the site as well as the cabin he lived in for 13 years with his faithful cat, Whiplash. Brad was a lifelong believer in the benefits of meditation which led him to become a Zen Buddhist in the Rinzai Zen tradition. He participated in retreats as a student but he also helped lead many of the retreat sessions. Brad even spoke about Zen Buddhism at a local Episcopal church where a workshop was offered for attendees to learn about the different religious traditions.
He was an avid reader and an excellent writer. Brad especially loved writing poetry, which was published in the Chatham Chatlist in Pittsboro. He also loved music and playing the guitar. In one of his writings he said, “Oh what music does…I often begin mornings with coffee and Chopin, tears and love.”
In his retirement years, Brad volunteered for the Chatham County Council on Aging using his carpentry and handyman skills to help low income seniors with repair projects. He also volunteered with the Chatham Literacy Council where he taught English to adult Latinos.
Brad lived his last years in a wonderful senior community in Pittsboro — the Walnut Grove Apartments — where he was surrounded by many dear friends. His contagious laugh, quick wit and big, generous heart will be greatly missed by Brad’s family and friends.
In closing, here’s a quote from one of Brad’s journal entries:
“To all of you — good cheer, good luck and give ‘em hell.”
Memorial to be held to celebrate Brad’s life on Sunday, November 15th at 2 p.m. at 324 Oakwood Drive in Pittsboro. Masks must be worn.