Bryant, Charles E.

Delmar - Charles Ernest “Tip” Bryant, 86, died Thursday, November 21, 2013 surrounded by his loving family, at Saint Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Albany. A Delmar resident for the past 60 years, he was born April 3, 1927 in Hudson, NY, the son of the late Estella (Carpenter) Bryant and Ernest Alexander Bryant.

Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Navy after his graduation from Hudson High School and served as a radarman in the Pacific Theater on the USS General RM Blatchford during 1945 and 1946. Following his discharge from naval service, he attended Champlain College and Alfred University. Charlie was fortunate enough to meet Carole (Shay) Bryant while at Alfred. The couple were married in 1952 and spent 47 years together until Carole’s passing in 1999.

Charlie started the Charles E. Bryant Insurance Agency in 1951 and was very involved in civic and business associations during his 40 years in the insurance business. He served

as president of the Albany Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Independent Insurance Agents of Albany County. He was a longtime member of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Elsmere and sang bass in the church choir for many years. During his later years, Charlie also sang with the Mendelssohn Club of Albany. He volunteered on behalf of the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless and, along with Carole, mentored a newly emigrated family from Vietnam. He was a 40-year member of Normanside Country Club, where he built many friendships.

Charlie is survived by a daughter, Laura (Betsy) Williams of Westminster West, Vt., and three sons, Jeffrey (Kim) Bryant of Voorheesville, and Mark (Lisa Callahan) and Eric (Kathleen Shapiro) of Delmar. Eight grandchildren: Conor, Ashley, Allison, Jesse, Thomas, Jackson, Owen and Benjamin, also will remember him as a kind, generous and loving “gramps.” He also leaves behind a dear companion of more than 10 years, Phyllis Chambers of Delmar. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Jane Wagner of Hudson.

The family would like to thank all of those who cared for their father during the past four years at Saint Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, especially the staff of 2 West.

Friends and relatives may call at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany on Sunday, December 1, 2013 from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, December 2, 2013 at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 16 Elsmere Ave., Delmar. Interment will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Charlie’s name to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Services Trust. Donation information can be found at cat.dav.org.