Bryant Reed Simpson

Bryant Reed Simpson, age 71, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Boston on November 25, 1952, he was the son of the late Norman Ray and Helen A. (Seltzer) Simpson.  Bryant was raised in Sharon, Massachusetts, attending Sharon High School.  At the age of seventeen while still in high school, Bryant got his start in fire service. He became a member of the Sharon volunteer fire department serving as a junior member and was on call in case of a brush fire or other emergency.  Following his highschool graduation in 1971, Bryant enlisted in the United States Air National Guard and trained in several areas including airport firefighting. While he was enlisted Bryant was hired as a full time firefighter by the Sharon Fire Department.

Bryant met Gale in Sharon High School and they married on December 7, 1974, at Saint John's Church in Sharon.  The couple continued to live in Sharon, welcoming two sons, David and Kurt. Bryant often worked second and third jobs to support his family.  He worked alongside his brother-in-law, Bill Traut, at his excavating business Traut Excavation and also drove an oil tanker and an oil truck making home deliveries for Russell Coal and Oil in Canton. Bryant also worked with his brother, Donald, at his plumbing business Simpson Plumbing and heating. He had his G/C building license, overseeing and constructing several homes including their home.  Over the course of his various jobs, Bryant obtained many licenses, from hoisting and hydraulics to his real estate license.  However the one he enjoyed the most was his private pilot's license.  He was also co-owner of a Piper Comanche B 260 that was housed at Norwood Airport. He truly enjoyed flying and skiing with family and friends. Bryant could always be found lending a hand to the people he knew and in the winter using his Bobcat skid steer to plow any driveway he passed.

While advancing his career, Bryant took night courses at Massasoit Community College, earning his associate degree in Fire Science and later in Bridgewater State college  taking courses towards a bachelor's degree. He was among some of the first licensed EMTs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Bryant was also one of the first Massachusetts Hazardous Materials Technicians in the state and served in District 1 from the inception of the team in 1991.  As part of the HAZMAT team he was a regional truck manager and oversaw several vehicles and their equipment. Bryant was promoted to Lieutenant at Sharon Fire Department in April of 2000,  and in July of 2004 Bryant assumed the role of Captain. He continued overseeing his shift at the fire department.  He retired in 2016 from both Sharon Fire Department and the State HAZMAT team after serving more than forty years for the Town of Sharon and twenty five for the state.

Beloved husband of Gale A. (Traut) Simpson.

Loving father of David B. Simpson and Kurt W. Simpson, both of Sharon.

Cherished grandfather of Erica Simpson, Emily Simpson, and Jake Simpson, all of Sharon.

Brother of the late Donald Ray Simpson.

Brother-in-law of Bill and his wife, Andrea of Sharon, and Christine Dubuc and her husband, Don, of Florida.

Uncle of Rebecca A. Nolan and her husband, Doug, of Chester, New Hampshire, Heather Simpson of Concord, Daniel Ray Simpson , Joseph Traut and his wife, Nicole, of Sharon, William Traut and his wife, Whitney, of Sharon, Holly Smith of Florida, Matthew Gaisunas and his wife, Tanya, of Florida, and the late Heather Gaisunas.

Also survived by many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Bryant's Life Celebration on Sunday, February 18th, 2024, from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

At the request of his family, Bryant's funeral service and interment will take place privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bryant's name may be made to Charity of One's Choice.