ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Robert Tweedie Bryant died at age 90, in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Jan. 5, 2019, after a struggle with cancer. Robert, or Bob as he liked to be called, was born on Jan. 4, 1929, to Lauriston Bryant and Arlene (Tweedie) Bryant. He attended elementary, junior high, and high schools in Jay, Maine. After high school, Bob worked in the Livermore Foundry as a molder for two years. In 1951, he was drafted into the Army and was stationed at Ft. Devens, Mass., and Ft. Drum, N.Y. During the Korean War he was sent to Iceland for two years to guard the U.S. air bases as First Sergeant (E8). He served in the Livermore Falls Army Reserves unit in the Heavy Mortar Company and Infantry Company for several decades. Bob worked at the Livermore paper mill and the Otis International Paper mill in Chisholm in the wood yard. He then moved to the new International Paper mill in Jay as a crane operator. He was a Quarter Century Society member for completing over 25 years of service with International Paper Company. Bob was president of Local Union #14 for 12 years. He also served as the Local Union Financial Officer during the strike of 1987. When the strike ended and he was called back to work at age 61, he chose to retire.

Bob was a life member of the Jay AmVets Post #33 in Jay and was Commander for one year. He was a member of the Jay Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #3335 and held a number of offices including Commander. Bob was an active member and Commander of the Livermore Falls American Legion Post #10. He was also a member of the Jaycees. Bob and his wife Phyllis lived at Brettuns Pond in Livermore, Maine, for almost 40 years. In 1988, they began wintering in Gulfport, Fla., at Beachway Mobile Park from October to May each year. Bob was very active in the Park, serving as captain of the Shuffleboard Club, president of the Social Club, member of the Park Board and President of the Board for 10 years. He enjoyed shuffleboard, playing cribbage and other card games, and many other park activities including Wii bowling. Bob loved watching baseball and was both a Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays fan.
 
Bob was a kind and gentle man who had great love for his family and a special talent for entertaining his grandchildren. He was thoughtful, fair, and appreciative of the people around him. He was an amateur carpenter and handyman and built or renovated several houses and loved to work on projects. He loved to dance with his wife, Phyllis, and listening to country music.

Bob is predeceased by his mother and father; brothers, Lawrence Bryant and Donald Bryant; and stepson, Rodney Demers. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Demers Bryant; stepson, George Demers and wife, Carla; stepdaughter, Kathy Wilbur and husband, Dave; grandchildren, Kara Wilbur and husband, Mike Bensen, Derek Demers and wife, Vicki, Josh Wilbur and wife, Kristy, and Ian Demers and wife, Mary Kate. Bob’s great-grandchildren include, Elizabeth, Oliver, Marshall, Luke, Finley, Henry, and Milo. Bob is also survived by his son, Terry Bryant from a previous marriage; his wife Joyce; and granddaughters, Alicia and Sarah; and brothers, Clarence Bryant and Kermit Bryant and wife, Paulette, along with many nieces and nephews.
 
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church St., Livermore Falls. Family and friends are invited to attend a luncheon reception at noon at LaFleurs Restaurant, 224 Main St., Jay, Maine. Interment will be held 10 a.m., January 22 at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta, Maine. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Suncoast Hospice Foundation

5771 Roosevelt Blvd.

Clearwater, FL 33760

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