Brad’s Spiritual Bio

09-19-50
Born. Parents: William Bradford & Anne Chapman Mersereau.

10-14-51
Baptized in the 1st Unitarian Church. I remember the splash of water.

09-01-56
Laura & I were whisked away to St Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral where I participated as an acolyte and in the youth group.

01-07-62
Confirmed by Bishop Dagwell at St. Stephen’s.

Summer ’66
God saved me from drowning at Salishan.

1968-1971
Acolyte at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walla Walla Washington.

1969
God saved me from drowning in booze at the Sigma Chi House. Pianist for dances.

1970
Whitman College vocational interest test suggested I would be a good minister.

Summer ’73
Graduated from Portland State University with a BA in Music Composition.

1973-1980
Wiscarson Music clerk, piano teacher, free lance pianist, St. Stephen’s choir.

Summer ’77
God saved me from dying after hitting a wall of water on the Sunset Highway, spinning 270 degrees, and not crashing into a semi truck. I was in full control of my senses.

09-01-80
Met Janet & attended Northwestern College of Business.

06-01-81
Graduated from NCB with a degree in Professional Accounting Administration.

1981-1984
NCB Director of Student Accounting, Financial Aid Specialist & Internal Auditor.

06-01-84
Fired for not following unethical directions. 11 school operation closed eventually.

1985-1990
Benson Hotel night auditor, front desk clerk, accountant, pianist.

08-08-87
Blessed Day: Married Janet Hughes Mersereau.

1991-1999
Vintage Hotel Plaza Pianist.

02-02-91
Stopped smoking (20 year habit).

06-27-91
Placed Mom and Dad in adult foster / hospice care.

06-30-91
Dad died.

07-91 – 04-92
Visited Mom daily. She received weekly visits from St. Stephen’s LEM’s.

04-03-92
Mom died. Walked Grace Labyrinth … continued on Tremont Street.

04-13-92
I surrendered my heart, mind, & soul to Jesus Christ at my mother’s Memorial service.

04-13-92
Placed my 1962 sacramental confirmation cross around my neck. Attended church.

1992 – Now
Nurturing a new relationship became as necessary as breathing. Established new habits.

1992 – Now
Philanthropist, advocate, fundraiser, hotel pianist, composer for movies, tv & orchestras.

1992-2004
Lay Eucharistic Minister – Delivered 150 Home Communions. Learned to listen.

1992-2005
Chili lunch pianist for homeless guests at St Stephen’s. Shepherded Abel & Matthew.

1994
Constance Hammond suggested I study to become a minister. I declined vociferously.

1992 – Now
Am asked if I am minister. Not formally – 10% discount at National Cathedral gift shop.

08-01-98
Started journal. Became increasingly service oriented especially honoring Laura’s memory, and being a friend to Alice, Peter, Sanya, Austin & Lucy.

06-13-99
My sister Laura died. Spoke at her memorial service.

1999-2019
Spoke at 8 Memorial services.

12-01-00
Released Laura CD. Increased awareness about alcohol addiction and sobriety issues.

03-01-04
Terwilliger Plaza Foundation Board.

12-01-05
Released Autumn Waltz CD. Continued fundraising for sobriety maintenance programs.

05-01-06
Launched our website www.bradmersereau.com – 139,373 Page Views, 27,673 Sobriety Anniversary years, 1167 champions, 447 Sobriety Pledges, 33 tv/movie tune placements. Our mission is to make my sister Laura’s memory matter with tangible addiction prevention and recovery resources.

2007
Established Portland State Senior Year Jazz Scholarship & future plans essay.

03-22-07
Became “information conduit” for Alice Sedgwick; prepared & shared 1000 lunches.

2008
President Terwilliger Plaza Foundation Board. Secretary William Temple House Board. Co-sponsored Laura Mersereau Memorial Essay Scholarships with Oregon Partnership.

02-07-09
Laura’s Place, a Central City Concern monitored drug & alcohol-free 6-plex opens. Transitional housing and support services to 100 women and their children.

2018
Established the Janet Hughes Mersereau Scholarship Fund at the University of Oregon through its American English Institute.

1999 – Now
Matching funds from 9 addiction prevention and recovery programs honoring Laura are $3,100,000. Subtotal including our contributions = $5,000,000. Total philanthropy including scholarships and other causes is $7,100,000.