Arthur W. Bryant, Funeral Home Founder, Dies at 93

Arthur W. Bryant, who founded Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket in the 1970s, has died at the age of 93.

Bryant was also a longtime member of the Setauket Fire Department who was recently honored for his 75 years of service, according to an obituary published by the Hudson Valley-basedTimes Herald-Record. Born in Port Jefferson, he was also a World War II Army Air Force veteran.

Bryant, who was born Oct. 13, 1919, is survived by his children, Arthur "Artie" Bryant Jr. and his wife Barbara of Hartwick, N.Y.; Herbert Bryant and his wife Kathy of Downsville and Livingston Manor; Fred Bryant and his wife Debbie of Setauket. He is also survived by sister-in-law Claire Bryant of Florida; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Martha.

According to a Bryant Funeral Home history, Bryant grew up on a farm in East Setauket and founded the funeral home at the age of 55 to "serve in the community to move beyond their grief and on to the road to recovery."

Services will be held at the Livingston Manor, N.Y.-based Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a funeral to be held Saturday at St. James Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Robert Karl Memorial Scholarship Fund DCS, c/o Sandy Shaver, PO Box J, Downsville, NY 13755.