Gone But Not Forgotten

There is a tradition on this Island of lamenting the days gone past. Every generation longs for the way things "used to be here." On an island so resistant to change—and one that has, compared with the rest of the country, done a good job of preserving its heritage and traditions—this tradition is as preserved as the rest.

Last Thursday, the Island lost another of its icons. Daniel (Danny) Bryant of Chilmark, an Island fisherman, birder, award-winning deer and duck hunter, house painter, lobsterman, husband and father—just to get started. Bryant died June 9 at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, as the result of complications from a fall. He was 76.

Bryant was born and raised on the Island. He went to West Tisbury School, graduated in 1952 from Tisbury High School and served as the Chilmark Constable since 1980. He was one of the few remaining quintessential old -school Islanders, and an avid collector of Island arts and artifacts.

A loss of a man like Bryant adds to our longing of how things used to be, and makes us wish we remembered all of the stories of the Island's past that died with him.

While the loss of any community member is always a painful time, the loss of such an iconic member is especially hard. There was a time on this Island when men like Bryant weren't so few. The next generation surely has its own share of characters, but the men of Bryant's time were and are certainly unique.

In the spirit of our community forum, we invite you to remember the times before. We hope that you'll share your own stories, either about Bryant or others like him. Tell us about what you remember about the ways things used to be.

And, if you know any of the stories Bryant used to tell, please share those, as well.

A memorial for Danny Bryant will be held July 10 at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury, where folks are invited to congregate to share photos, memories and stories. Contributions in Bryant's memory may be made to the Betty Ann Lima-Bryant Scholarship Fund for young Vineyarders seeking to attend college, care of the Permanent Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 1182, Oak Bluffs 02557.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect the correct date of Bryant's memorial service.