Warner, NH – Loving husband, faithful son, adored brother, adoring uncle to nieces and nephews, and cherished friend of many, Bryant Lee Stockwell passed away suddenly on May 5th having suffered a catastrophic stroke. He was 48 years old.
Bryant was born at home in Warner, New Hampshire on August 27,1977 to Sue Bartlett and Phil Stockwell on the family farm. His fond memories of early childhood were filled with many farm animals, several family dogs and cats and a playground that was the hay barn, the fields, forest, and waters behind his home.
He attended Simonds Elementary School where his best buddies became his lifelong friends. One summer before high school Bryant attended Maine’s Camp Chewonki where he paddled his kayak, at 14 the youngest camper, with a dozen other kids from Wiscasset to Jonesport, island hopping along the way. He attended Proctor Academy in his sophomore year, graduating in 1996. He flourished there in the outdoor education courses. Among those was Ocean Classroom where sailing to the Caribbean engendered a deep love of the sea. His ocean adventures culminated in a cross-Atlantic sail in a 38-footer to Ireland. Along the way he landed a large tuna that fed the crew for days. That same trip allowed for further exploration of the UK and Scotland and later Malta.
Bryant learned to ski at an early age, and the sport became a lifelong passion from ski racing in high school to a love of deep powder in Utah as an adult. From childhood through adulthood, he developed a remarkable talent and love for fishing following the activity with zeal. While he could be very outgoing even with strangers, Bryant cherished his alone time casting his line into many secret pools.
Although he could be an awful tease with his younger sister and cousin Rianna he was also their protector-in-chief warning prospective suitors of severe discomfort if they did not behave. He could be the life of the party quoting movie lines to the hilarity of everyone but was just as often content to be the quiet, sensitive observer. Bryant was a lover of music, and an awesome cook. He was a funny guy especially when he was impersonating his dad’s signature dance moves which he named “the full body dry heaves.”
Bryant made a living for most of his adult life as a house painter, preferring the exacting interior jobs where he was a master, if a bit of a perfectionist. But fishing was always his love. He enjoyed three consecutive seasons in the salmon fishing business with his sister and family in Bristol Bay, Alaska. He had boundless affection for his nephew Hans and niece Iris and was adored by them as their favorite Unk. He loved children and was a favorite also of his wife’s sister Kristel’s children.
A little over two years ago Bryant met the love of his life, Jess, and they were married on Burnt Hill, Warner in a small family ceremony. They then joined a wonderful celebration on Schroon Lake in upper New York State with an extended family gathering over three days. Jess and he were both enthusiastic dog lovers and it was no surprise to anyone that a black Lab puppy joined their union a short time later. Winter and Bryant became inseparable friends. He, Jess and Winter loved the outdoors and enjoyed many hikes and paddles in their short time together.
Bryant is survived by his parents Sue Bartlett and Phil Stockwell of Warner, his wife Jessica Racy Stockwell, his sister Kirstyn Sterling, her husband Tyler and their children Hans and Iris of Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Jessica’s sister Kristal Cerone and children Alexa, Luca, and Andrianna, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his grandparents Eva and Bryant Stockwell of Peterborough and Shep and Lee Bartlett of Warner.
Bryant will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a man with a heart of gold. Despite lifelong struggles he could light up a room, engender a joy for life with family and friends, and endear us all with his warm and faithful kindheartedness. He will be fondly remembered always and greatly missed by all who loved him.
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