John Christopher Bryant, 58, of Litchfield, NH, passed away unexpectedly on November 25th from a heart attack. He was always the first person to volunteer to help people in a time of need. John loved sailing, camping, hiking, traveling up and down the east coast in his RV with the love of his life Sandy, celebrating with family and friends, and everything family. He had a larger than life personality and he lit up every room he ever walked into. His contagious positive attitude made him believe that anything was possible, and he will be deeply missed. John was born in Lawrence, MA to Timothy and Ellen (Michaud) Bryant and was the oldest son of seven children. He was a 1977 graduate of Central Catholic HS and attended grammar school at St Augustine’s in Tower Hill. He worked as a Supervisor for UPS in Chelmsford and Nashua for over 25 years.
John coached youth football for many, many years in Lawrence Pop Warner as well as the Nashua youth football league and Hudson-Litchfield Bears youth football league. He volunteered for the town of Litchfield in so many ways including coaching youth basketball for over 15 years, as a coordinator, coach and basketball official, and serving on the Litchfield Recreation Commission for many years, currently as the Chair. He cherished his summers spending quality time with his family and friends at the Island at Balch Lake, West Newfield, ME. When John wasn’t behind the grill cooking for a large crew, he could be found driving the boat picking up family and friends at the boat house to shuttle them to the island or taking the kids on the many boat rides tubing or waterskiing. He actively supported his three sons and was a proud uncle and attended many sporting events for his nieces and nephews. During the fall seasons, he could always be found at a football stadium cheering on his nephews. John was also fond of wood-working and outdoor projects and built many pieces of furniture and cabinets with his father.
John is survived by his parents Tim and Ellen Bryant (Englewood, FL), his three sons: Stephen and his partner Chris, Garrett and his wife Elizabeth and his youngest son Dylan; his long time soulmate Sandra Vance (all from Litchfield); step-son Jay Vance and his wife Anne (Scarborough, ME) as well as his step-daughter Sarah and husband Mark Makarewicz and their children Sadie and Owen, who affectionately called him Papazoona (Litchfield, NH). John was from a large family: sisters Mary Heartquist (husband Craig) of Wakefield, NH and Judy Victory (husband Mark) of Derry, NH as well as his brothers Dan (wife Stephanie) of Andover, MA, Tim (wife Lisa) of Falmouth, ME, Mike (wife Paula) of Yarmouth, MA, and Bill (wife Pam) of Methuen, MA. He had many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.
Calling hours were held on Thursday November 29, 2018 from 4 to 7 pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd, Londonderry, NH. In lieu of flowers, John would love donations to be made to the Litchfield Beautification initiative. Funds raised will go directly towards town beautification and recreation projects. Donations can be made in his name to the “Friends of Litchfield Beautification” and mailed or hand-delivered to Friends of Litchfield Beautification, c/o Town of Litchfield, 2 Liberty Way, Litchfield, NH 03052.