BRYAN JEFFREY DIGGINS
“The Man, The Myth, The Legend” BALLSTON SPA - Bryan left us the afternoon of April 9, 2018 taken from us too soon at the age of 58. Like any great myth or legend, he will never be forgotten. To all his friends and family, we would ask as he would want us to, please celebrate the life he lived and not the life he left behind. You may have known him by any of his numerous aliases: Digger Dog, Digger, Diggie, Digs, Dead Eye Digger, The Hobbit, The Horse, GREAT Uncle Bryan or his famous tag lines, “Call me whatever you want just not late for dinner”, “my middle name is JefFRE-y for a reason, if it’s FREE it’s for me”, “I resemble that remark” or simply Bryan. Bryan served proudly in the US Navy as a Gunners Mate in the early 1980’s, aboard USS Fort Snelling. He did multiple tours and was active during the conflicts at Beirut and Lebanon. He achieved both Bluenose status (crossed the arctic circle) and Shellback status two times over (crossed the equator). After Honorable Discharge from the Navy, he worked for twenty four years as a chemical technician at Schenectady Chemical, from which he retired. Digger currently enjoyed his part time job in the produce department at Hannaford where his “regulars” sought him out and were always happy to see him. He earned many free lunches because of his accolades for his customer service. He also spent a summer as a rodeo clown, something he was happy to check off his bucket list. Bryan lived life at its fullest, had a story for every situation, an answer to any question, and would make you laugh even at times when you could hardly understand what he said and he was always the life of any party. He gave true credence to the phrase, “I know a guy”. “You got a pest problem call my nephew Jay, need something built call Andy or Pete Champagne, something else fixed call Brandon Uline.” His contact list was endless. He loved to help everyone. Of course, you may owe him a favor for it but fair enough.
He loved to volunteer, camp with Mary and Schuyler, hang out at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Cocktails at the White House with his boys, hang out with Adam and Jay at the Lake George Car Show (DODGE DART), and visit Aunt Joan for words of wisdom. He took daily “laps” around Ballston Spa and Milton to check in on his “bro’s” and other friends. He enjoyed tending to his lawn and landscaping, and took great pride in his vegetable garden. He was eager to share his bounty with many, many friends and neighbors. He loved and cherished his stepdaughter Schuyler and was especially proud of her academic accomplishments. Bryan has played a huge role in so many of our lives in so many different ways, the memories are endless. He is a brother, partner, uncle, great uncle and always a friend. He is kind and compassionate to everyone. He had a bigger than life personality and aura that you could not help be drawn to. Bryan is predeceased by his loving parents John and Margaret Diggins. Bryan is survived by his siblings John and Mickey Diggins, Linda and Dennis LaQue, Barb and Jan Lang, Kelly Diggins and Kurt Radz, Karen and Mitch Vanweerd, Robert and Rhonda Diggins, Holly and Arthur McWain; aunts Joan Nowhitney and Marion Hayes; nieces and nephews Anne, Adam, Jason, Matt, Nathan, Eric; great niece and nephews Zack, Jayde, Anthony, Cierra, Brandon, Eliza, William, Austin, Shane, Tyler; partner and best friend for life, Mary Arnold, Mommasu; stepdaughter Schuyler Arnold; Partner in Crime and shadow, Duke (because he would keep all of Bryan’s secrets safe, just wag his tail and bark); AND many many FRIENDS. Funeral services will be held 10am Friday, April 13 at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. Burial with military honors will follow at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, April 12 from 4pm to 7pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Veterans Foundation, https://nvf.org/ veterans-donations/ or St Mary’s School, Thompson Street, Ballston Spa. Celebrate his life with us at the VFW on E North Street, Ballston Spa on Saturday 04/14/18 @ 2:00 pm
Online remembrances may be made at www. armerfuneralhome.com