Roger A. Bryant

TEMPLETON – Roger A. Bryant, 95, died peacefully Saturday morning, December 26th, in Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol.

He was born in Northfield, MA on March 6, 1920, son of the late Leroy and Catherine (Prime) Bryant.  Roger was a resident of Templeton since building his house on Dudley Road in 1951.

Roger was a graduate of Petersham High School, where he was a member of its state championship basketball team.  He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon and of the First Church of Templeton Men’s Club. A master machinist, he worked in the model shop at GenRad Corporation in Bolton until his retirement in 1985. After his retirement, Roger was so busy gardening, building, designing, and crafting that he often expressed wonder that he'd ever had time for a job.

Among his many hobbies and interests, Roger built Shaker style furniture, crafted brass and steel candlesticks, and made detailed doll house furniture and brassware. He was an active member of The Wheelmen, an antique bicycle organization, and could often be seen riding his high wheeler in parades in the region. His years of experience as a pattern maker led to his reputation among collectors and riders for his restorations of rare antique bicycles, sometimes from only a picture or diagram. He also designed and built custom restoration tools for himself and others, with requests coming from as far away as Hawaii. Roger was a life member of Narragansett Historical Society, for which he made miniature Boston Post canes and blanket chests to raise funds. An avid reader, he remained curious and interested in a variety of subjects throughout his life.

Roger was predeceased by his two wives, Bertha (Monroe) Bryant and Betty (Cooley) Bryant and siblings Bernard, Robert, Fred, Guilford, and Shirley.  He leaves four children, Nancy Bryant King and husband Earle of Orange; Wayne Monroe Bryant and spouse Mary-Ann Greanier of Littleton; Leslie Ann Bryant of Maynard; Glenn Russell Bryant of Templeton; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Winchendon, MA at 126 Central Street on Saturday, January 9th, 2016 at  2PM.

Burial will be in East Street Cemetery, Petersham at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue in Templeton, at ahimsahaven.org or by mail at PO Box 73, Winchendon, MA 01475.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

www.stone-ladeau.com