Charles Joseph Bryan, Sr.

Charles Joseph Bryan, Sr., of Cambridge, MD, age 91, passed away on December 26, 2025, at the Talbot Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 18, 1934, in Oxford, MD at his grandmother’s home on “The Island,” which is now part of the east end of The Strand. Many of his fondest memories were of growing up in Oxford. His parents were Olin Bryan and Lena Colburn Bryan. Charles graduated from Easton High School in 1953 and continued his education at the Franklin School of Science and Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; and the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Charles began his career at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in the research lab and later moved back to the Eastern Shore, where he worked at The Memorial Hospital at Easton, MD, for 40 years as a histologist/cytologist. After his retirement, he built and flew R/C airplanes; sailed along the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay; went fishing; raced Smith Island crab skiffs; and ate steamed crabs. His favorite activity was spending time with his family and friends. He loved to tell tales of growing up in Oxford and made it sound like a magical adventure. He should have written a book about it. Charles was a member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department for 63 years and served for several terms as president, as well as an engineer, an EMT, and a rescue diver. He was also a member of the Oxford Fire Company for six years before he moved to Easton, totaling 69 years of service to Talbot County. Charles is survived by his wife of 31 years, Julie Bryan; his children, Dawn Mister (Steve) of Tilghman, MD; Charles Joseph Bryan, Jr., of Easton, MD; Deanna Pratt (Jerry) of Easton, MD; Amy Johnson (Gary) of Royal Oak, MD; and Laurie Caldwell (Daryl) of Easton, MD. His grandchildren are Taylor Pepper; JB Hall; Stevie and Bryan Mister; Colby and Austin Bryan; Cole Johnson; and Hannah and Noah Fountain. Marrie Retallack, niece of Easton, MD, Miles Retallack, Nephew of Easton, MD and David Blades(Susan) brother in law of Parkville, MD. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patsy Retallack; Gary Johnson, son in law and his beloved granddaughter, Catherine Pratt. He is greatly missed, but we take comfort in knowing that he is in Heaven with Jesus and his family and friends. They probably welcomed him with a crab feast. The family would like to thank all the members of his care team at Talbot Hospice House who made his final days comfortable and sweet. Also, thank you to all his friends who visited him faithfully. He told all of us that he lived a long and wonderful life. Services will be held January 25 at 1:30 PM at Christ Church of Easton, 111 South Harrison St., Easton, MD. In lieu of flowers, consider donating in his memory to the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, 315 Leonard Rieck Drive, Easton, MD; the Catherine Pratt Memorial Scholarship Fund at Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 102 East Dover St., Easton, MD; or Talbot Hospice at 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD.

Charles Joseph Bryan, Sr.

October 18, 1934 - December 26, 2025