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BORN
1939
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
Harold Bryan Obituary
Harold L. Bryan, 81, of Gales Ferry, passed away on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Backus Hospital, from a service-related illness, with his loving wife and children at his side.
He was born on December 30, 1939, in Cameron, WV, the son of Charles and Velma (Gorby) Bryan.
He married Nancy (Niehsing) Bryan on June 15th 1963 in Milwaukee WI. She survives him.
In addition to his devoted wife Nancy, he is survived by their two children Jeffrey (Melinda) Bryan, of Voluntown, and Lisa (Al) Harraka, of Lisbon; three grandchildren James and Jessica Bryan, and Nicholas Harraka; and two sisters Carolynn Roberts and Linda Lambert, both of OK. He is also survived by many dear friends whom he met throughout the years.
He was predeceased by two brothers Jim and John Bryan.
Harold entered the Navy on his 19th birthday in 1958 and served for 22 years. As a proud surface sailor, he served on three destroyer tenders, the Everglades, the Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon where he served for 7.5 years before ending his career in 1980 on shore duty here in Groton. He rose quickly through the enlisted ranks becoming one of the youngest master chiefs (PICM) in the Navy at that time in less than 15 years. Following retirement in 1980, he served at Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Electric Boat, Groton retiring Sept. 1 2001 as Safety Manager. Then, loving the water as he did, he worked as a crew member and narrator on the Steamship Sabino at Mystic Seaport for several seasons.
He loved fishing and gardening and spent many enjoyable hours at both. Harold was his wife's biggest supporter of her quilting hobby, keeping track of quilt shows as far south as TN. They attended many every year for many years making new friends along the way as well as very dear friends locally. He also loved getting together for breakfast each week with his good buddies who were also retired Navy chiefs.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 4th from 4-6 p.m. at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street, Groton. Burial with military honors will be Saturday, June 5th at 10 a.m. at Avery Stoddard Cemetery, Route 214, Ledyard.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA 91365 or the Navy Relief Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Attn: Development, 875 N. Randolph St. Ste 225, Arlington, VA 22203.
Memories and Condolences
for Harold Bryan
12 Entries
DONALD FARQUHAR
May 28, 2025
AGAIN, SO SORRY FOR HAROLD'S PASSING. LOVE NANCY AND LISA. COACHED LISA IN SOFTBALL AND SHE WAS ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE PLAYERS.
Samantha Wallace
July 7, 2021
This saddens our families hearts. We loved becoming friends and neighbors with such an amazing man. Loved our many visits and holidays spent together. Our kids viewed Harold as an adoptive grandfather. Loved serving alongside him on the Ledyard Cemetery committee. We loved how sweet he was to Nancy. I can’t imagine the hole that is in her heart. We were so fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to meet him. Thinking of you and your family. With so much love,
The Wallace Family
Peter Schmaldienst
July 3, 2021
Never served with Harold but I believe that I met up with him at the Montville VFW several years ago when I delivered three (3) Om-IM Association ball caps that he had bought for himself and his brothers from the association. I never heard anything about him that was less than complimentary concern his naval service or life in general. Rest in Peace Shipmate....
Mike Bryan
July 2, 2021
So sorry to hear about Harold's passing. He was a great guy, taught me a lot when I was a young IM3 aboard the USS Grand Canyon.
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Ken Morales
July 2, 2021
So sorry about the Chief's passing, he was a big influence on me while him and I was on the Grand Canyon, he taught me how to fix calculators and adding machine. that knowledge helped me get a job at Pitney-Bowes working on mailing machines and all kinds of paper handling machines and I ended up on copiers. I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge and mechanical abilities with me.
Gary and Rosalie Hall
June 7, 2021
So sorry about Harold's passing.
Gary enjoyed breakfast on wednesdays with him.
Will be missed!
He was a good man!
God bless and comfort you and all your family.
Gary and Rosalie Hall & Family
Clark Pritchett
June 4, 2021
Harold, I'm going to miss our pocket watch discussions trips to train shows and your advice and expertise. My condolences Nancy.
Barry Rhodes
June 3, 2021
I had the pleasure of working with Harold for three or four seasons aboard the
Steamboat Sabino.
David Hickman
June 3, 2021
So sorry to hear about Harold’s passing. He trained me as his replacement at SUPSHIP before he retired and we spent many hours discussing safety, the Navy we both loved and his love of pocket watches. Fair winds and following seas Harold.
DONALD S FARQUHAR
June 3, 2021
So sorry to hear about Harold's passing. I've known the family for years , primarily through coaching Lisa in softball. Nancy is a wonderful lady and Lisa is one of my all time favorites. One of the happiest times of my life was coaching Lisa and her team in middle school!
Sharon Bennet
June 3, 2021
Harold was an amazing man. I loved being his and Nancys friend. There was not anything he would not do for you. I will miss him. Love auto Nancy and her family.
Carolynn Roberts
June 3, 2021
RIP Brother Dear. Love you. Till we meet again.
Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results
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Memorial Events
for Harold Bryan
Jun
4
Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Byles-Groton Memorial Home
310 Thames Street, Groton, CT
Jun
5
Burial
10:00 a.m.
Avery Stoddard Cemetery
Ledyard, CT