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In Memory

Bradford Heck

Bradford Heck passed away on February 26, 2024 after living for two years with pancreatic cancer. He was at home with his beloved wife Lisa beside him. He was 71.

 

Brad was the son of the late Norman and Dolores Heck, loving husband of Lisa Maria (Poliquin) Heck, father of Grayson Matthew Heck, and brother of Michelle Suzanne Heck.

 

Brad was a loved and respected member of the music community in the Washington, DC area, especially for the original music he created with his writing partner Desson Thomson and his friends in the band Cairo Fred.

 

Brad was born in Washington, DC, and spent his early childhood in New York’s Hudson Valley and New England, where his father was an engineer with IBM. Brad loved this part of the country, and he enjoyed returning there over the years after marrying Lisa, who grew up in Saratoga Springs. Brad also had fond memories of his family’s several years in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he learned German, enjoyed the landscape and culture, and played in his first bands.

 

When the family returned to the states they settled in Bethesda, MD. Brad graduated from Walter Johnson High School in 1970, where he sang in Concert Chorus, played in several bands, and made many lifelong friends. He went on to attend the School of International Service at American University where he earned a B.A. in International Studies.

 

From 1979 to early in 1982, Brad lived and worked in New York City, where, most importantly, he met and fell in love with Lisa. They were married in Manhattan in 1981, and moved to the DC area the following spring. Their son, Grayson, was born on Brad’s birthday in 1982.

 

Brad spent several years at IBM, including as a financial analyst at IBM World Trade Corporation, and his management and talent for client relations were of service to several smaller businesses in the 1990s. He enjoyed a successful five years as a licensed realtor in Maryland, DC, and Virginia with Cranford & Associates, and in 2008 Brad found a new calling as a teacher of young children at Hyattsville Elementary School. His sense of wonder and delight was something he shared with his kids, and he loved introducing them to good music. He was loved by the children and appreciated by their families and his fellow teachers and administrators. Brad retired in June of 2020.

 

Brad’s friends from high school days will remember his terrific band Spencer that covered songs by Poco and other groups that featured vocal harmony. He spent a short time with the originals band Beans, a year with the band Evernow, and did many performances at Mr. Henry’s, Tenley Circle. In the early 80’s, Brad wrote the music for Captive Audiences, an off-off Broadway show, and played bass for The Drifters on a short east coast tour. The 80’s and 90’s also included stints with the band Bad Sneakers.

 

Brad’s focus then turned to writing his own material. Eventually, he began to collaborate with Desson Thomson, and after some experimental recording, they decided to form a band to develop and present their music. Calling on best friends John Dawson and Andris Plavnieks, and meeting the talented Buddy Griffin and Brian Riordan, Cairo Fred was born.

 

Brad was proud of the accomplishments of their project, especially their commercially released album Freedom Street. The band performed at many popular venues in the area, including Blues Alley in Washington, DC, and for tribute shows produced by Ronnie Newmyer. Brad was particularly proud that Steuart Smith (Babe, Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin) played with Cairo Fred at the BandHouse Gigs Tribute to Joni Mitchell at Strathmore.

 

Most of all, Brad loved writing, recording, and playing music with his friends. Cairo Fred was his pride and joy, and he and his bandmates left a legacy of first-rate songs that sound like nobody else’s.

 

When Brad was diagnosed in January of 2022 with pancreatic cancer, he faced his fate with his eyes and heart wide open. He was grateful for every moment of time he had to enjoy the love and company of his family and friends, and was amazing at maintaining his positive personality despite how wretched his illness or treatment made him feel. He appreciated his excellent medical team, the presence at home of his son, Grayson, and most of all the constant and loving care from his wife, Lisa.

 

Brad loved fires in the fireplace, Frank Sinatra, the 1940s, weekend adventures to little towns close by and chatting with the people he met, the family’s pet dogs, classic WWII movies, and most of all, Christmas.

 

His joy was always, and will always be an inspiration to his family and friends.

 

A private celebration of Brad’s life is being planned.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to:

 

Pancreatic Cancer Research at Johns Hopkins or Montgomery County Animal Shelter

https://www.collinsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Bradford-Steven-Heck?obId=30929449&fbclid=IwAR3n_vp6Kd0e-g_qZqAV2F2iIaAcl4oFdTh8y7pQjtPUBpZCGKnqvO4nrkA#

 
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03/07/24 10:36 AM #1    

Robert Barnes

Though I knew that Brad was ill, it still shocked and saddened me deeply when he passed. To say that he was an all around great guy , though true, does not do the man justice. He had a huge heart , a keen mind and a sharp sense of humor . Our musical paths bumped together in high school and to my great delight in the last ten years or so. I am a better man for having known him and the world is a poorer place for is absence. Rest well my friend, rest well.

03/09/24 10:33 AM #2    

Robert Wright

During our high school years, there were times when it was a challenge to know who the good guys were, who to trust, and who had your back.  Brad was consistently one of the good guys, during high school and long after.  He was trustworthy, incredibily gifted with just about anything music related, and sharp as a tack.  But whenever I think of Brad, there is one thing that always stands out.  He was kind.  He listened, he cared, and he genuinely tried to help others through whatever challenge they were facing.  I think part of that came from the fact that Brad had the experience of living abroad in his younger years so he brought a different and more global perspective that was infinitely larger than our small world in Bethesda region at the time. And even though Brad had already been around the global block, he was still cool about it, still kind, and still a good guy.  We'll all miss you Brad, rest easy, and if anyone out there plays a guitar and is musical in any way, play a few chords and sing a few verses in Brad's honor.  Brad, thank you for being my friend, and a friend to so many.  


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