1953 – 2016

AUBURN — Basil Bryant II, formerly of East Hebron, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 15, at Bolster Heights Assisted Living Facility, after a short battle with liver disease.

He was born in Lewiston on Dec. 3, 1953, to Basil Bryant Sr. and Louise (Keene) Bryant of Hebron. He lived most of his life in East Hebron, first on the family farm, then on family land across the street with his family at 198 Bryant Road. He graduated from Oxford Hills High School in 1971.

As a young man, Basil drove a stock car in the Charger division at Oxford Plains Speedway, until he broke his collarbone. He worked throughout his life, starting as a young fellow working for his dad, and at the farm of Henry Allen, as well as in the woods. He learned his mechanical skills from Dad and could tear apart, put back together, and fix almost any kind of vehicle, even those that were not GM products! For many years, he was a long-distance truck driver, including the hauling of hazardous waste material, across the U.S.

Over the course of 20 years, Basil held the snowplowing and sanding contract at Central Maine Medical Center. Having learned the excavating and contracting trade from his father, Basil Sr. and brother, James, he spent his last years self-employed in that occupation until his illness.

Every summer, Basil’s immense gardens were filled with vegetables, and his fruit trees bore delicious fruit, all of which he generously shared with family, friends and neighbors. In return, he enjoyed the fresh seafood and homemade pickles, custard pie and rhubarb jam that others would share with him in their thanks. Basil also had a soft place in his heart for his beloved dogs.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Carbonneau Hodsdon) Bryant of Auburn; his two daughters, Louise Bryant and husband, Amin Saab, of West Bath, and Maegan Gordon and husband, Ed, of Charlotte, N.C., whom he had with his first love and first wife, Rebecca Lowell of Buckfield; second wife, Karen Starbird of Buckfield; stepson, Tony Starbird and wife, Cathy, of Buckfield; stepchildren, (by Kathleen Hodsdon Bryant) Abby Hodsdon of Lewiston, Brady Hodsdon of Denver, Colo., and Patrick Hodsdon and partner, Amanda, of Auburn; grandson, Ethan Gordon of Charlotte, N.C.; stepgrandchildren, Hallie Jo Starbird, Chase Starbird, Kennedy Starbird, Bradley Hodsdon, and Alexis Hodsdon; sisters, Bev Cantin of Mexico, and Lola Gurschick and husband, Fritz, of Turner; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Basil was predeceased by his parents, Basil Sr. and Louise Bryant of East Hebron; brother, James Bryant of Minot; brother-in-law, Lyndon Cantin of Mexico, and great-nephews, Kurt Theriault of Minot, and Kristopher James Cuddeback of Millerton, N.Y.

The family greatly appreciates the help of friends, neighbors, and other family members in bringing meals, checking on Basil during his illness, and providing support. We send a special thanks to those who took time to visit him during hospital stays and his time in assisted living, and to the caretakers at Bolster Heights and Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice for the help and comfort they provided him.

Basil touched many lives, and now he rests in peace.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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