SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT. — Bryant Christopher Giard-Chase, 22, passed away unexpectedly at his home in South Burlington on the morning of Dec. 23. He was born in Burlington, Vt., on Nov. 8, 1990, son of Ann Giard-Chase and Christopher R. Chase, M.D.
He graduated from South Burlington High School, became a private pilot, and was completing his instrument training at Cornerstone Aviation Flight School in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had ambitions of becoming a pilot for the U.S. Air Force.
Bryant was loved by many and loved many in return. His family and friends mattered most to him. He had a devoted father who shared his love of flying airplanes and was loved deeply by his mother, Ann. He was blessed with a sister, Gillian, and with two brothers, Erik and Kyle. Additionally influential in Bryant's life were his Aunt Jean, his stepmother Sandy, his stepsister Lindsay, his grandfather Russell, his grandmother Helen, and his love, Kelsey. He had many wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins. Bryant lived for the times he spent with 'the boys.' He shared his years of growing, learning, laughing, loving, and moving forward into adulthood with all of us.
From early years onward, Bryant enjoyed activities such as riding dirt-bikes, motorcycles, and snowmobiles, building forts, fishing and boating on Lake Champlain, spending time with his family at Smugglers' Notch, and quite simply, just being around the people that he loved. As a young adult, Bryant's true passions emerged. He excelled in athletics including CrossFit for which he was certified as a personal and endurance trainer. He also completed a half marathon and had begun training for his first full marathon. Most importantly, Bryant was an incredibly gifted pilot who was truly himself in the air and was only one exam away from becoming instrument rated.
A memorial service to celebrate Bryant's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, at the First Congregational Church on South Winooski Avenue in Burlington.
Bryant loved animals and planned to donate his time to Pilots N Paws, a humane organization that flies homeless animals around the country to new homes. For those who wish to honor Bryant's memory, donations can be made to www.pilotsnpaws.org/donate
