Obituaries

Dr. John Bradley LaFave, 87, of Martinsville, VA passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, December 29, 2023. He was born February 4, 1936 in Malone, New York to the late Clarence “Rake” LaFave and Anne Bradley LaFave. As the oldest of five children, he developed a strong sense of responsibility and leadership. He attended Catholic schools as a young student. In 1953 he graduated high school from Franklin Academy in Malone where he excelled in football, baseball, basketball and track. He received a basketball scholarship to University of Vermont where he majored in Psychology and went on to receive his medical degree from the School of Medicine there. He eventually decided to go into pediatrics having been inspired by a professor there at the university.

Jack spent his internship and first year of residency at Boston City Hospital. It is here that he met a pretty nurse named Bonnie Macdonald. They married on June 15, 1963 at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Reading, MA. They immediately moved to San Francisco where they both worked at the hospital at University of California-San Francisco. Their oldest daughter, Lesley, was born there on February 15, 1964.

In July, 1964, Jack and his family moved to Fort Knox, KY where he served as a captain in the United States Army. While in Kentucky, a second daughter, Stephaney, was born on May 15, 1965.

It was July, 1966 when Jack took his growing family to Martinsville, VA where he, along with Army buddy, Dr. Bob Rider, joined the pediatric practice which eventually became known as the Children's Medical Center. On December 28, 1968, the family was complete with the birth of his son, John Bradley II.

Jack retired in 2011 after caring for thousands of children in Martinsville and the surrounding area. On a regular basis, he would run into people who were his former patients or parents of patients who remembered him fondly. He was funny with the kids and parents trusted him. The family have been told countless stories of how he saved a life or figured out the impossible diagnosis. He was always cool under pressure and was known as an excellent diagnostician. He would always say that what he missed most about his career was the children.

Throughout the years, Jack remained active in the community. He was President of the Martinsville- HC Medical Association, President of Chatmoss Country Club and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Carlisle School. He was on the Board of the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. He served dutifully, always with an eye toward making things better and stronger.

He had many interests over the years. He was an excellent photographer in his younger years taking beautiful photos of landscapes in the area. While his kids were in high school, he took photos of their many athletic pursuits. Always the athlete himself, he lifted weights for many years with friends, played pick-up basketball at Carlisle (into his 50s!), tennis and of course golf. Golf was a true passion that allowed him to play and spend time with his many, many friends. He especially enjoyed getting out on the links with his son, son-in-law and grandsons.

Dr. LaFave was a true picture of a life well-lived. He was a hard worker who gave his best effort in everything he did. He was devoted to the children of this community. His friendships were deep and his loyalty to his friends was unmatched. Most importantly, he loved his family deeply. Everything he did was to give his wife and children a good life, a chance at success and a sense of always being loved and cared for. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie (Macdonald); sisters, Joelle Ann “Joey” LaFave, Katherine “Kay” LaFave Brennan, and Mary Frances LaFave.

He is survived by his daughters, Lesley LaFave Pulley (Leonard) of Ashburn, VA and Stephaney LaFave Scott (the late Joseph R. Scott) of Greensboro, NC; son, John Bradley LaFave, II (Libba) of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Joseph Robert Scott (Madison) of Charlotte, NC, Emily Austin Scott (fiancé, Nick Adams) of Raleigh, NC, Leonard Thurston Pulley, III of Charlotte, NC, John Roderick Pulley of Harrisonburg, VA, James Bradley Pulley of Ashburn, VA, John Bradley LaFave, III of Greensboro, NC, and Mary Callie LaFave of Greensboro, NC. Also surviving is his brother, Peter Henry LaFave (Mary) of Plano, TX.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Norris Funeral Services, Martinsville Chapel. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Martinsville, VA. Entombment will be private.

Memorials may be made to charities that support the health and well-being of children in honor of Dr. LaFave’s lifelong commitment to caring for children. Donations may also be made in his honor to Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Martinsville where he was a longtime parishioner.

Norris Funeral Services, Martinsville, VA is serving the LaFave family. Online condolences may be made at norrisfuneral.com