1935 – 2013

PORTLAND — Richard F. Bryant, 78, of Mexico, died Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

He was born on April 27, 1935, in Riley, a son of Richard N. and Hadvika (Slovak) Bryant. Richard attended and graduated from Jay schools.

On Aug. 22, 1953, he married Jeannette Begin at St. Rose of Lima in Jay.

Richard worked at the paper mill in Riley before going to work and retiring from Boise Cascade in Rumford. He was a communicant of the Parrish of the Holy Savior in Rumford and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He also ran the Father Berry Campground in Roxbury for years. Richard was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed, golfing, fishing, hunting and geocaching.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jeannette, of Mexico; children, Donald Bryant and his wife, Patricia, of Farmington, N.M., Pamela Meader and her husband, Almond, of Jay, Deborah Harnden of Rumford, Donna Bryant and her companion, Barry Touchette, of Rumford, Mark Bryant and his wife, Billiejo, of Mexico and June Marston and her husband, Neil, of Mexico; four siblings, Raymond Bryant of Jay, Linda Ouellette of Jay, Nancy Blodgett of Livermore Falls and Janice Woods of Henderson, Nev.; 28 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, Chloe; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; a son, Alan Bryant; and a granddaughter, Shelbea Marston.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with his family and friends on his tribute wall at www.wilesrc.com.