Bryan J Early

Bryan James Early, 51, of Bellingham WA, passed away Saturday, Jan. 4th, 2014 at Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland, after an eight year battle against adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare and incurable cancer. During his few days at Evergreen, he was surrounded by family, friends and band members. Bryan was born in Bethpage NY, Sept. 26. 1962 to Mary and Joseph Early. When Bryan was two, the family lived in Naples, Italy for a year and then settled on Mercer Island where Bryan graduated from MIHS in 1980. After high school, Bryan earned his Forestry Degree at Peninsula College in Port Angeles. He lived the past 30 years in Bellingham, marrying Lee Ann Kelly, raising their daughter Maia and playing in the Lindsay Street band.

Without a doubt the 3 most important things in Bryan’s life were family & friends, anything to do with boats and the sea, and the music he played for 14 years with the band Lindsay Street. He was the sweetest, kindest man with a quiet, wry, intelligent sense of humor. Bryan constantly had projects in progress. His talents included auto and marine mechanics, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, tile setting and landscape design. He even won a cake decorating contest in grade school when he created a boat out of cake. He was always lending a hand to anyone who needed his help. He worked professionally as a boat builder and marine mechanic. When his mother brought home a Bodhran drum from Ireland one year, he taught himself to play it and joined the Lindsay Street band.

Bryan was an avid reader of books on all sorts of topics. Whether on a short sailing trip or a long car ride, he and Michael, his nephew, had discussions on everything from trees and mountains to music and religions. He also outshined his sister and brother-in-law when they watched Jeopardy in the evening after his chemo treatments at SCCA or recuperating after recent surgeries at the UWMC. His music knowledge was evident by all the concert tickets he would win when he called into the radio station trivia contests.

He is survived by his wife, Lee Ann Kelly, 12 year old daughter Maia, siblings Patti and her husband Tim Murphy who cared for him in their home, and Dennis and Sharon Early, who flew from Juneau to be with him at Evergreen, beloved nephew & godson Michael Murphy, closest cousin Doug Early, cousin Kathleen Coyle who took him water skiing on Long Island Sound and nursed him after his recent surgery, Kevin and Reisa LaTorra, neighbors and dear friends who walked the journey with Bryan and long-time family friends, Shannon Britton- Jones and Beno Jones. Bryan is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews, Jeffrey (Julie) Early, Matthew (Stephanie) Murphy, Mara Early (fiancé David Sheakley) and great-nephew Tevian Early and great-niece Madison Murphy, his mother-in-law Clara Johnson, band members Robin, Jean, Liz and Patty (who were also his “family”) and many dear friends and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his father in 1997 and most recently, his mother Mary on Nov. 24, 2013.

Donations in Bryan’s name can be made to Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation.

All friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Bryan’s life on Saturday, January 18 from 4-7pm in the Encore Room at Mt. Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham.

Arrangements under the direction of Bleitz Funeral Home, Seattle, WA.