Thomas Loton Bryant

Thomas Loton Bryant was born on April 26th, 1940 in Lynn, MA. He passed away on July 1st, 2021 at his home.  His father was Loton Melvin Bryant, and his mother was Edna Elizabeth (Graham). He grew up mainly in Lynn and Saugus, MA. He graduated from Saugus High School in 1957. He joined the Marine Corps and achieved the rank of First Sergeant. During his time in the Marine Corps, he began training in sharp shooting. He competed in and won several awards in the Massachusetts Gallery Pistol sharp shooting competitions.

Tom held several jobs over the years, including a long career with Sears and Roebuck, eventually being promoted to department manager. He also owned his own franchise of a Mail Boxes Etc., worked for The Paper Store, H & R Block, the IRS, and finally enjoyed 15 years working for Cota Funeral Home.

Tom loved classical music and playing the trumpet. He began playing the trumpet at about age 10. He played in the Saugus High School Band. His love of music continued throughout his life.  He was a member of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra for 30 years. He also played trumpet and marched in parades with the Boston’s Fireman’s Band.

Tom had an easygoing temperament and a great sense of humor that was enjoyed and appreciated by many. He easily assimilated with the family and friends of Ellie. They have enjoyed a relationship since the early 1990’s. Over the past 31 years, Tom and Ellie enjoyed going out to restaurants and other social functions with friends, family and neighbors, and made day trips. Tom loved spending time with Ellie, Joanne & Michael and their 3 children Aiden, Allyson, and Ella and with Paul & Joanne and their 2 children PJ and Melina.  Tom also leaves his niece Dawn Aielo, cousins James and Ronnie Carroll and Claire Louise Kennelly.  Tom is the God Father Michael Hashem and Pamela LeBlanc, along with Thomas Hashem and Carolyn Hashem.

Tom was also loved by the family and neighbor dogs. Especially in recent years, he was visited by Jackson, Willow, Bella, and Lucky, and he was known to feed them maybe one too many treats.  Tom was an avid reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles, and computer games, and was a devoted fan of The Boston Red Sox, The New England Patriots, and the Boston Bruins and the game show Jeopardy.

Funeral from the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park Street, North Reading on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 8am, followed by a funeral mass celebrating Tom’s Life at St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham at 9am.  Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Saugus.

Family and friends are cordially invited to join with Tom’s family for visiting hours in the funeral home on Sunday, July 11th, 2021 from 1 to 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Tom’s Memory to the Thomas Bryant Musical Scholarship, Reading Cooperative Bank, 170 Park St., North Reading, MA 01864.