Bryant Abbott (OB 1951-1957)

Bryant Abbott (OB 1951-1957)

Bryant Abbott (1951-57) died peacefully in a Christchurch, NZ hospice on January 4, 2020.  He was surrounded by his wife Julie, daughter Tess (Paul), son Jeff (Denise), grandchildren Holly & Max and other family and friends.  Bryant was a notable swimmer at School – one of the best breaststrokers in all grades – and played tennis during school years and just after.  He left School in 1957 and studied and qualified as a civil engineer. After marrying Julie in 1962, they moved to Guernsey to practice his new profession before emigrating to New Zealand in 1970.  There, Bryant joined the Ministry of Works in Auckland.  In 1980, Bryant entered St. John’s College in Auckland, to study for the Ministry as a Methodist Pastor.  He moved to a church in Wellington and then on to St. Stephen’s Church in Christchurch, the area where he stayed for the remainder of his life.  Bryant was known for his devotion to his family, for his wood carving and his interest in art (particularly for his drawings for the children in the congregation) and photography.  Terry and Ann are fortunate to have visited Julie and Bryant in February 2019, attempting to fill in the more than 60 years from our both leaving Bancroft’s.

With thanks to Terry Needham and Roy Semark for this obituary.