FARMINGTON — Donald L. Bryant, 85, a resident of Jay, passed away Monday morning, June 18, at Sandy River Center in Farmington, where he had been patient for three days, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 31, 1932, in Chisholm, the son of Lauriston Bryant and Arlene (Tweedie) Bryant. He attended Jay High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On Nov. 12, 1956, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay, he married his wife of 57 years, Jeannine Deshaies, of Jay. She passed away April 17, 2014.

Donald worked in the stock prep department at International Paper at the Otis and Androscoggin mills in Jay, retiring in 1992 after 39 years of service. Donald had also served as a selectman for the town of Jay. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church, a member of the International Paper Co. Quarter Century Club, the American Legion George Bunton Post 10 in Livermore Falls, the Amvets Post 37 and the Frank L. Mitchell V.F.W. Post 3335 in Jay.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling to Gulfport and to Florida to their winter home. Donald especially loved following his children’s and later his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events and school functions.

He is survived by his children Kathryn McAninch and her husband, David, of Jay; Donna Bickford and her husband, Mark, of Jay; Peter Bryant and his wife, Sandy, of New Sharon; Darlene DiPompo and her husband, Dan, of Jay; and Karen “Ka”Ka” Bryant of Jay; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; his cat, “Jilly”; his brothers Robert Bryant and his wife, Phyllis, of Livermore; Clarence Bryant of Livermore; and Kermit Bryant and his wife, Paulette, of Jay; sisters-in-law Bernice DiSotto, Mary Ann “Mimi” Nelson, Elaine Doiron, all of Jay; Cheryl Deshaies of Farmington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Jeannine, and his brother, Laurence Bryant.

The family would like to give a special thank you to all that helped Donald: Franklin Memorial Hospital; Sandy River Center; Western Maine Family Health Center; his niece, Jackie Horton; and caregiver, Julie Adams; for their compassionate and loving care to Donald and his family.

Messages of condolence may be shared at www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

Donald L. Bryant

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