NORTH NORWICH – David J. Bryant, 65, of North Norwich, passed away late Thursday evening, Dec. 6, 2012, at his home in North Norwich.
Dave was born in Utica on Nov. 6, 1947 and was the son of Joseph E. and Doris E. Brown Bryant. He grew up in the Sherburne and North Norwich area and attended the Sherburne schools. In August of 1967, he entered the United States Army where he served his country until his honorable discharge in August of 1970. While serving his country he was a heavy equipment operator and was stationed in Germany and Thailand. Returning home Dave began his working career which would span 40 years. Over the years, Dave worked for Smith Ford, operated his own trucking business which he leased to St. Lawrence Freight Ways out of Watertown and Webb & Sons. In 1990, Dave began employment with the City of Norwich Highway Dept. where he worked as a diesel mechanic as well a the head mechanic. He had also served as secretary for the CSEA. He retired in 2010.
In his leisure time Dave enjoyed spending time with his family camping, be it at East Lake in PA, Canada, the Adirondacks or Sylvan Beach. He was also an avid bowler having served as secretary-treasurer for several men’s leagues in Earlville and Norwich. Dave was also a member of the Sherburne American Legion Post #876, a past member of the North Norwich Fire Dept. and a past member of the Rolling Antiquers.
On Aug. 7, 1971 in Norwich he married Rosemary Ray, who survives. Besides his wife Rosemary of North Norwich, Dave is survived by his sons Joseph Bryant and his fiancee Bonnie Thomson, Percy Bryant and wife Brianna all of North Norwich; his grandchildren Brandon Thomas of Sherburne, Ashley Harrington and husband Jay also of Sherburne, Heather and Tiffany Bevilacqua of Norwich and Jackson Bentley Bryant of North Norwich. Also surviving is his sister Ormetta Dobson of Seattle, WA; his brothers William Hall of Kensington, MD, Richard Hall and wife Helen of Remsen; his son-in-law Martin Bevilacqua of Norwich; his mother-in-law Edith Ray of Smyrna; and his brothers-in-law and sistes-in-law Joseph and Pat Ray of Sherburne, Larry Ray of North Norwich, Leah Adams of Norwich and Susan and James Fitzpatrick of Smyrna as well as many very special nieces and nephews.
Dave was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Doris Bryant, his birth parents Clyde Hall and Doris Elthrop, his daughter Peggy Bevilacqua, his sister Sharla Clancy and his brother Spencer Hall.
Funeral services for Dave will be held at 9 a.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate. Interment with full military rites will follow in the North Norwich Cemetery. Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.