Bryce Cody-John Basso

ORRINGTON AND EDDINGTON - Bryce Cody-John Basso, 17, died April 14, 2023, in Acadia National Park while doing one of the things he loved the most, adventuring and spending time with his friends. He was born on August 2, 2005, in Bangor, the son of Amy Atherton and Brad Basso, and their spouses Jeremy Atherton and Heather Basso. Bryce was also the best big brother to his little buddy, Emmett Atherton.

Bryce graduated from Center Drive in Orrington Class of 2020. While he was there, he was a member of the baseball and basketball teams. It was also at CDS, that his love of music blossomed, under the guidance of his beloved music and drama teacher, Pauline Miller. This was a passion that carried on throughout his life. He played numerous instruments and spent countless hours teaching himself new songs. Bryce also participated in chorus, drama and was the CDS Student of the month multiple times.

Bryce was also a member of the class of 2024 at Brewer High School, where he was enrolled in the automotive engineering program offered through UTC and was truly excelling. Bryce’s freshman year was spent at John Bapst High School, where he and his friends found themselves experiencing their first year of high school dictated by Covid protocols, remote learning and split in-person learning. While there, he was a member of the band, Varsity Football, Freshman Basketball and JV Baseball teams. Once at Brewer, he earned his varsity letter in Football during his sophomore year. He had the opportunity to play alongside a crew of his friends that had been his teammates since he started with the Brewer Youth Program in 3rd grade. Some of his favorite days were spent on the field with his football family. Bryce decided this past winter to try his hand at wrestling. BHS didn’t have their own school team so he had the chance to join up with the incredible crew at Bucksport High School. They took him under their wings, taught him the ropes, and truly embraced him as one of their own. In a very short time, he created lasting bonds with that very special group of coaches and athletes. Bryce was also a member of the JV Baseball team at Brewer. Originally coming up through the ranks of the Orrington Little League program, he spent countless hours on the field, being coached by his dad, and numerous other important members of his extended family. He experienced much success on the diamond, including his undefeated championship season with his Kindred Spirits team, and traveling all around New England to play with his Grizzlies travel team. Ultimately, Bryce had decided this spring, to pursue his passion for MMA, and found himself a home at Titan Athletics in Brewer. He truly thrived in that environment, coming home every night showing off a newly acquired bump, bruise, or black eye…or boasting about finally getting the choke on one of his sparring partners.

In the summer, Bryce worked alongside Jeremy on the coast worming, and would spend weekends on the golf course with Brad. In his downtime, he enjoyed drawing, painting, and playing video games, but, by all accounts, Bryce was an adventure junky; truly fearless. He loved getting his adrenaline pumping any way he could. The kid never met a tree he didn’t want to climb. He loved dirt biking, 4-wheeling, snowboarding and skateboarding. He lived for a dare and would take on almost any challenge that was thrown his way. He was fiercely loyal and protective of his “gang” of friends. He was so blessed to be surrounded by a true family of close friends and was a light to every single life he touched.

Bryce is survived by his mother, Amy Atherton, her husband, Jeremy, and their son Emmett, of Orrington; father, Brad Basso and his wife, Heather, of Eddington; “Nana” Linda Basso, of Winterport; Uncle Scott Basso and his wife, Marie, and their children, Brianna, Brady, Kathy, Danny and Josie, of Winterport; Uncle Mike Basso and his wife, Brandy and their son, Alex, of North Carolina; Aunt Ann Marie Colonna and her children, David and Angela, of New York; Gram, Cheryl “Shirl” Clement, of Milford; Aunt Tracy Morin, her husband Kevin, and their children Brittany, Taylor and Cassie, of Limington; “Nana and Ga” Denise Morrill and her husband, Jim, of Orrington; “Grampy Ken and Mimi” Ken McGraw and his wife, Robin, of Holden; “Bampi” Tom Atherton, of Bucksport; and aunt, “Oom” Naomi McGraw and her daughters, Destiny and Morgan McGraw-Low, of Brooks. He was predeceased by his grandfather, John Basso; great-grandmother, Rose Basso; cousins, Cody Basso and Brandon Basso, and Cheyenne “Chey” Morrill; Great Grammy, Charlotte Atherton Eastman; Great Grampy, John Meenan Jr.; Great Grammy Jean McGraw; and Great Grammy, Ethelyn “Effie” Morrill.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the Anah Shrine Center, 1404 Broadway, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at a venue to be announced, immediately following the service. There will be no interment at this time.