One of two sons, Bryan was born on 5th December 1939 in Sunderland where he grew up, attended school and started a lifelong passion supporting Sunderland Football Club.
Leaving school at 16, he started as an apprentice draughtsman and a ship design and construction surveyor, a career he pursued throughout his life.
Bryan married Jackie in 1962 going onto start a family with the arrival of daughter, Lesley and son, Simon. Bryan and the family moved to London in 1967 where he embarked upon a career with Lloyds Register, being transferred to their Yokohama office in 1971 where the family lived until 1995 with assignments working in Madrid and London during that time.
Eventually Bryan and the family returned to London. Bryan retired five years later although interest and enthusiasm with ships and shipping continued even after retirement.
In his youth, Bryan played football for several local teams. Later on he enjoyed playing cricket and squash at the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club. But his main interest, other than Sunderland FC, was a growing love of jazz. An involved fan, he listened a lot, attended concerts and built a collection of books and magazines about jazz - even writing a book about Jackie McLean. He met many jazz stars throughout his life and spent many hours hanging around Ben’s second hand record shop.
Bryan enjoyed watching a wide range of sport on tv particularly F1 and Le Mans.
Photography was another hobby, as was travelling, with his favourite holiday destination being Hawaii – where he enjoyed the way of life.
Bryan was a friendly, sociable man who would talk to anyone. He possessed a good sense of humour – he liked The Goons, Spike Milligan, Dad's Army and Last of the Summer Wine - and he loved to tell a joke.
Bryan always thought he was right about issues and, annoyingly to the family, he often was right in the long term. He was was upbeat and optimistic and, sometimes, a bit daft!
With his family always being of utmost importance to him Bryan was a proud father to Lesley and Simon always encouraging them in their endeavours and sharing in their successes in life.
Bryan passed away on 15th June 2017 aged 77
I looked up to Bryan when I went to YCAC and was a bit tempestuous and was summoned to meet him. being from the north east myself it got sorted quickly and he was a big supporter of my wanting to change the football section. he passed on his Pinks to me every week and will miss him. a true gentleman. RIP Bryan.
When I saw the name of the sender, Mrs. Armstrong, I prepared me for a shock.
My sincere sympathy for the loss of a husband and a father.
I will miss Bryan and our correspondence on Jazz which started when he was I Japan. We exchanged over the years information and music re. our heroes Jackie Mclean and Miles Davis.
I still remember Bryans visit in Copenhagen, in the late 90’s, on his search for Jackie McLean information. It was great days the few days we were together visiting jazzfans.
You will be greatly missed my friend.
Jan Lohmann
In loving memory of Bryan, recalling wonderful times at YCAC with warm and wonderful friends.
Remembering all those years spent at Roker Park with Tony, it seems not so long ago. You will be sadly missed Bryan, and my thoughts and love are with Jackie, Lesley and Simon, in my thoughts Joan.
Long lasting memories of the 60's when Bryan and my late husband Tony seemed to go to every Sunderland football match there ever was!! Losing touch when the Armstrongs went to Japan and we went to Botswana seems like a million miles back.My thoughts are with Jackie and the family at this very sad time.with love Joan
In memory of Bryan, with our love and thoughts at this sad time - Stephanie, Stewart, Michael & Phillippa Collins.
Our sincere sympathy for the loss of your father and husband. We are so glad we were able to spend time getting to know Bryan both here in Kansas and at your home in Ashvale. We enjoyed his keen sense of humor, his love of jazz music, and mostly we observed his great love for his family. We know he will be greatly missed. Love to you all. Bob and Amy
I have just learned that my cousin Bryan has passed away. I want to pass on my sincere condolences to Jackie, Leslie and Simon on their great loss. I was close to Bryan and his brother Barry when we were children together in Roker, Sunderland. We played Subbuteo and snooker together but lost touch later in life when Bryan moved to work in Japan. By coincidence, Barry got me interested in jazz during the 1960s and I still love it now. I had no idea that Bryan had become a jazz fan. There were only two weeks between us in age and I feel so sad that he is no longer with us. R.I.P. Bryan.
How could anyone forget such a happy day, and your lives have been filled with happiness ever since. Love Joan
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