March 12, 2010

2/17/10: Bradley Ginsburg, 18, Ithaca, NY


Bradley Ginsburg, 18, a student at Cornell College in Ithaca was last seen by his roommate early Tuesday, February 17, 2010. He was reported missing later that night, according to the university. Ginsburg was an economics major in the College of Arts and Sciences, a new member of Alpha Epsilon Pi, and a resident of Mary Donlon Hall. The following day, his body was recovered from the Fall Creek Gorge. According a 3/16/10 article by ABC News, Cornell officials said the young man's death was ruled a suicide.

On March 22, Bradley's parents told CNN.com that they were not convinced that Bradley's death was a suicide, saying that Bradley, who was nicknamed "Smiles" by his fraternity brothers, was always happy and continuously smiling. He was a straight-A student, who loved college, showed no signs of stress, and called them daily. His mother Sherry Ginsburg said, "Nobody can believe that one of the happiest people that they knew, would ever do anything like that; and that's what's hurting--besides not having him--that's what's hurting me the most."

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bradley's family and friends; he will be sorely missed.

Bradley Ginsburg's story
On Feb. 18, 2010, rescue workers recovered the body of Bradley Ginsburg from Fall Creek Gorge. Rescue workers were notified after the Cornell University Police Department had received a call from a passerby at about 10:10 a.m. that a body had been spotted under the Thurston Avenue Bridge. The bridge is connects the North and Central Campuses of the university.

The bridge was closed for much of the morning as two firefighters from the Ithaca Fire Department rappelling team were lowered 150 feet into the gorge to recovery the body. The Ithaca Police Department, CUPD, Bangs Ambulance, Cornell Emergency Medical Service and Cornell Environmental Health and Safety aided in the recovery.

About Bradley Ginsburg
Alpha Epsilon Pi president Matt Lerner told the Cornell Sun, "Brad was a spark plug and always full of energy. Someone who was always wanting to be the best brother he could be, wanting to have a good time and wanting to cherish every moment. He was someone we had only known for a short time, but he made such a happy and positive impact on our fraternity,” Lerner said. “Brad will be remembered in nothing but the fondest light.”

The brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi held a memorial service for Ginsburg on Feb. 18 with more than 70 people in attendance.

The Ginsburg family--parents Howard and Sherry and sister Courtney--was originally from northern New Jersey, and had lived in the Boca Raton, Florida area for most of Bradley Ginsburg's life. He attended West Boca Raton High School before beginning at Cornell University.

His obituary, published in the Sun-Sentinel on February 18, 2010 reads, "Ginsburg, Bradley Marc, of Boca Raton, FL, passed away on February 17, 2010 at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He is survived by his loving parents; Howard and Sherry Ginsburg and cherished sister, Courtney Ginsburg. A service will be held 10 AM Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Gutterman Warheit Memorial Chapel. The interment will be private. Gutterman Warheit Memorial Chapel, 7240 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, FL 33487."

memorial video has been created for Bradley on You Tube.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

How could the father say he does not believe it was suicide when his son wrote on his computer saying life if futile and telling loved ones he is sorry for the decision he made!

Unknown said...

If it was not the bridge, like so many have said, he would have found another means for his suicide.