John Harry Bryant

AUGUSTA – John Harry Bryant, 82, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side at Togus Springs Hospice & Care Unit at the Togus VA Medical Center on Oct. 24, 2025.

He was born in Skowhegan on Jan. 28, 1943, to John and Shirley (Beane) Bryant. He completed his studies at Madison High School, graduating in the class of 1961.

Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving four years. This is where he got involved with computers (IT), when they were as large as a room. Upon his discharge, he attended and graduated from University of Maine, Orono majoring in Biology with the class of 1970.

Following college graduation, he taught for one year at a one room schoolhouse in Caratunk, Maine, worked in IT for the city of Lewiston, the city of Bangor, Pen Bay Hospital, and Workers’ Compensation for the State of Maine. John was a self-employed computer analyst for a few years before landing a job at Madison Paper Industries from 1994 – 2005. Following retirement from MPI, he went back there as a consultant. He then taught science at Carrabec High School for one year and then was asked to teach science at Madison High School the following year.

In the summer of 1988, while being a self-employed computer analyst, he traveled to Ashkelon in Israel. He joined an archaeological expedition as a volunteer digger through the Semitic Museum of Harvard University. He earned college credits over the six weeks of digging for artifacts, attending lectures and going on several field trips. He returned to Ashkelon in 1989 for an additional four weeks.

He married the love of his life, Harriet (Clark) Page, on Oct. 13, 1990, and moved to North Anson, where they lived for the next 35 years. He loved his two stepdaughters like they were his own.

John loved traveling. He and Harriet took many cruises to see different parts of the world as well as trips within the USA. He had traveled to all but two of the 50 states.

One of his favorite vacations was when he returned to the Azores in 2016. He had been stationed there while serving in the Air Force 1962 – 1963. He had hoped to go back again someday. He also enjoyed alpine skiing, biking and kayaking. He and Harriet did the Trek Across Maine for 10 years and was a member of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team “Securing Our Survival (S.O.S.)” for eight years. Both organizations raised funds for cancer research and support.

John was very involved in the communities in which he lived. He was member of the MSAD #59 (Madison) School Board 1984-1986, RSU #74 (Anson) School Board 1994-1997, Board of Trustees of the Madison Area Health Center October 1998 – July 2017 (Treasurer for 18 of those years), Selectman for the Town of Anson 2009-2021, Anson-Madison-Starks Ambulance Board July 2009 – June 2021 (President 2012-2021), and the Board for the Anson & Madsion Water District 2022-2025. He was a Lifetime (PUFL) member of American Legion Tardiff-Belanger Post 39 of Madison for 60 years. He held the position of Finance Officer for many years.

John loved being “Papa” to both of his grandchildren. Being 20 years apart, the age difference allowed Papa to spend quality time with each of them individually. For Ben, he was a loyal race fan from Go Karts to Late Model Sportsman, he attended many sporting events all over the state and never missed an awards ceremony or graduation. For Alex, the “Apple of his Eye”, he loved watching her perform on stage as a dancer and most recently as an actress, he never missed an opportunity to spend time with her no matter the occasion. He was able to instill a passion for skiing in both of his grandchildren, although Ben would eventually trade in his skis for a snowboard.

He was so proud to become a member of the Mayflower Society in January of 2023. In 2022 he researched his ancestry and after two trips to Prince Edward Island to retrieve several documents on microfiche at the Public Archives and Records Office, he was able to prove that he was a descendant of the Mayflower under William White.

John was predeceased by his parents, paternal and maternal grandparents, and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Harriet of 35 years; daughters Tiara, husband Tony Nile and Sharelyn, husband Jim Parker. He was Papa John to grandson, Benjamin Nile and granddaughter, Alexandria Parker; his sisters Rebecca (Don) Ranks and Robin (Jack) Frost; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and Aunt Eleanor Beane.

John’s family wishes to Thank the Staff at Togus VA Medical Center and at Togus Springs for the wonderful care and kindness that they showed and gave to John and family during his illness.

A Celebration of John’s Life and services will be announced at a later date. Family and Friends are encourage to visit John’s Tribute Wall at directcremationofmaine.com to leave words of sympathy, reflections and photos to share with his family.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial donations in John’s name be made to:

American Legion Post 39

ATTN: Scholarship Fund

PO Box 144

Madison, ME 04950

John Harry Bryant