Meet one of Unity Health Toronto’s Caring Hearts, Leading Minds: Tom Bradbury
Tom Bradbury, pot washer, Nutrition and Food Services at Providence Healthcare
Tom Bradbury remembers starting his job as a pot washer at Providence Healthcare in 1980, while still in high school.
“I was feeling pretty nervous on my first day but I was also excited,” recalled Bradbury, who was just 17-years-old at the time. “It was my first job.”
Since that first day, Bradbury — who is also hearing impaired — has been working in the kitchen at Providence Healthcare ensuring that dozens of large pots and trays used to prepare meals for patients are properly cleaned and ready for use everyday.
Bradbury, who is a valued team member, prides himself in bringing a positive attitude and credits his parents for instilling a strong work ethic. “They taught me the value of hard work and doing the best job that I could everyday.”
“He enjoys coming to work because his co-workers have always been good to him,” says Nenita Del Rosario, operations leader for the Nutrition & Food Services department. “Providence is his second family.”
Earlier this week, Bradbury’s family, friends, and co-workers gathered to celebrate his retirement, reminiscing about his long and dedicated career. Even Bradbury’s 89-year-old mother attended the celebration.
After a 45-year career spent at Providence, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family including his wife Patty.
But in addition to spending more time with loved ones, Patty also suspects he is also looking forward to sleeping in after decades of waking up early to drive in from their home in Oshawa.
“I don’t drive and I work until 11 p.m.,” says Patty. “So for the last 35 years he’s been picking me up after 11 p.m., bringing me home and getting up at again at 4:15 a.m.”
“Actually it’s not the job he wants to retire from,” laughs Patty. “It’s the commute.”