Robert J. Bryson, 93 of Merrimack, NH passed away peacefully Thursday December 5th, 2024 at Ledgewood Bay in Milford, NH.

Bob was born in Manchester, NH son of John and Mary Bryson.  He was preceded in death by his sister Joan Devin and brother Father John Bryson.  At an early age, he moved to Lawrence, MA with his loving aunts, endearing cousin and grandmother.  He graduated High School from St. John's Prep in Danvers, MA.  From there, he spent two years at St. Anslem's College of Bedford, NH and then on to Saint Paul Seminary, University of Ottawa, Canada and earned his Master's Degree in Theology.

In 1970, Bob married Janice Rose Goulet and became step-father to her five children.  They moved to Wallingford, CT as he began his career with H.P. Hood Company.  Shortly thereafter, he moved the family to Merrimack, NH and became Sales Manager for H.P. Hood in the Boston area, where they raised the family together.

Bob had an extremely fulfilling career with H.P. Hood and spoke of this often. His position brought him throughout New England, the Northeast and Bermuda.  Although he moved from one department of dairy sales to another from time to time, his passion, his heart, belonged to the Ice Cream Division and his accounts who made their own ice cream on premises.  Bob took great pride in this area of expertise and more so, he cherished the sincere relationships he fostered throughout the years.

As a Hood representative he spent 20 years on the Board of The Invitation Club of Boston.  One of which he proudly served as President of the association.  Upon retirement from Hoods, he became Executive Director for New England Ice Cream Restaurant Association (NEICRA) where he spent another 17 years continuing relationships, lending support to small businesses, and mostly, connecting people within the network, to other people.  This was his forte…the people business.  Ice Cream was the pleasantry, the conduit, in which it was delivered.

Bob often told stories of early years, time spent working summers at Camp Fatima and Hampton Beach.  Bob and Janice had a handful of past times.  The list consisted of grandchildren, trips to the beach, alone and with favorite relatives, seeking out where to stop for ice cream on the way home.  Scrabble and card playing was a big part of their leisure time and this expanded well beyond, to the extended family where many playful memories were made.  Golf too, another hobby where he continued to mix "a little business with pleasure."  Bob always expressed how much those days on the golf course meant to him, spent with his best friends.  In his last years, he lived at Ledgewood Bay Assisted Living and here too, he developed and cherished new friendships with both residents and staff. Bob touched many people throughout his life.  He possessed the unique ability to elevate people and make them feel special.

Bob Bryson's role in the lives of his immediate and extended family is too large to describe.  His children are forever grateful.

He will be deeply missed by them, Steven M. DeSchuiteneer and wife Terry of Warner, NH, Renee S. DeSchuiteneer of Greenfield, NH, Wayne M. DeSchuiteneer and wife Tracy of Manchester, NH, Danielle M. Stewart and husband Scot of Emerald Isle, NC, and Jennifer G. Alberta and husband Scott of Plymouth, MA, along with 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Our Lady of Mercy Church, located at 16 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack, NH on Saturday December 28th at 10am.  Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Bedford, NH.