In Memory of Bradford Lees Divine

Obituary

Bradford Lees Divine, 89, of Barneveld, passed away on October 16, 2026, at his home.

Lees was born to Bradford Dalton Divine and Norma Lees Divine on September 20,1937, in Utica, New York . He graduated from New Hartford High School in 1955 and continued his education at Union College until 1957.   He then joined the US Army and served as a cryptographer with the 11th Airborne Division in Augsburg, Germany.

Returning to Union College in the fall of 1959 Lees met his future wife Susan “Susie” Walden at Skidmore College.  They were married June 24; 1960 in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey and they recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Lees began his career with Divine Brothers Company in 1961. He became President of Divine Brothers and Munson Machinery in 1970 where he continued to expand his family’s business until retirement.  He was the 3rd generation Divine, and now his children are carrying on his life’s legacy.

Active in community affairs, He was a member of the Young Presidents’ Club and served as President of the Industrial Association of the Mohawk Valley, President of the YMCA Board of Directors, Vice President of SABA (School and Business Alliance), and President of the Shore Owners Association of Lake Placid. In the 1970s, Lees served as Village Clerk of Barneveld. He was also a founding member of Indian Hill Ski Club and the Kuyahoora Yacht Club.

Lees’s passion was his summer home in Lake Placid, where he spent his summers since 1947 enjoying his boats, water skiing, hiking, and all that the Adirondacks had to offer. He loved sharing the camp and the beauty of Lake Placid with his family, friends, his own dogs, and his friends’ dogs. His love for the camp and the Adirondacks has been passed down to all his grandchildren.

In the winter, Lees enjoyed skiing with his family at Snow Ridge, as well as traveling throughout the Western United States and Europe. Lees and Susie also cherished their time in Naples, Florida, where they enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends.

For a time, Lees also enjoyed flying a small Cessna airplane, an experience he fondly recalled and enjoyed talking about over the years.

Lees is survived by his wife Susie, his children Bradford Walden (Wendy) Divine, Mark Dalton (Sandy)Divine, Robin Lees (Jim) Klein, and Charles Henry (Sue) Divine; his grandchildren, Dalton, Dylan and Courtney Divine, Devon, Cindy and Catherine Divine, Sarah and James Klein and Lees and Katherine Divine, step grandchildren, Courtney, Rachel and Katie, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Diddy Schoonover and Lorinda Gallagher.

Lees will be deeply missed by his family and friends. The family is especially grateful to his wonderful caregivers, Jen Davis, Deb Streiff, Denise Erlanson, and Pat Ferguson, whose compassion, dedication, and invaluable support helped make his final years more comfortable and fulfilling. 

Calling hours are Friday 4-7 at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. The funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at St David’s Episcopal Church 140 Mappa Ave, Barneveld. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Adirondack Community Foundation or the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida County.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com