Brian Carl Harger, 76, of Readfield, Maine, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2026. A devoted student of the Bible, loving father of eight, and lifelong seeker of truth, Brian will be remembered for his unwavering faith, inquisitive mind, and the principles by which he lived his life.

Brian was born on September 7, 1949, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Burton Harger and Dora E. Brown. He spent the first half of his life in southern Vermont, living primarily in Vernon and later in Guilford. In the early 1990s, he made Readfield, Maine, his home, where he spent the next 34 years.

Brian was predeceased by his parents; his older half-brother, Richard; and his older half-sister, Judy. He is survived by his sister, Lynn, and by his eight children: Brianna Harger of Readfield, Maine, and her children, Baine and Leila Poulin; Ian Harger and his wife, Kristina, of Lewiston, Maine, and their children, Cooper and Remi; Brittany Stepp and her husband, John, of Safety Harbor, Florida, and their children, Lily and Griffin; Erinn Harger of Hampden, Maine, and her son, Ryan Woodard; Giles Harger of Readfield, Maine; Nicholas Harger and his wife, Meranda, of Readfield, Maine, and their children, Parker Hobart, Jaxson, Spencer ("Penny"), and Logan Harger; Callyn Smalley and her husband, Evan, of Thomaston, Maine, who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their son, Adonis; and Jordyn Pedreira and her husband, Jake, of Rockland, Maine.

Brian devoted much of his life to serving others through his work. He began his career with Grand Union, where he worked for 14 years. He later became a buyer for C&S Wholesale Grocers before continuing his career with AG of Maine. Later in life, he became a part owner and manager of The Cleaning Authority franchise based in Topsham, Maine, where he worked for 11 years. Throughout every stage of his career, he was known for his dedication, integrity, fairness, and strong work ethic, earning the respect of coworkers, employees, and customers alike.

Above all, Brian was devoted to his family. He raised his eight children according to the Bible's principles, striving to instill honesty, kindness, integrity, and a love for God's Word. His greatest hope was that the values he cherished would continue to guide future generations of his family.

Outside of work, Brian pursued many interests throughout his life. He found great joy in tending his remarkable 100-foot garden, where he spent countless hours growing vegetables and enjoying the outdoors. He was an avid reader with an insatiable curiosity, always asking thoughtful questions and seeking a deeper understanding of the world around him. Those who knew Brian knew that he never accepted things at face value but instead searched for logical, well-reasoned answers.

Brian's greatest passion was the Bible and his faith as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was baptized in 1958 at the historic international convention in New York City, where attendance overflowed from Yankee Stadium to the Polo Grounds. In 1970, he reaffirmed his dedication to Jehovah through baptism at another international convention in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

During the latter part of his life, Brian especially enjoyed helping others understand the Bible. He had a gift for explaining Bible truths in a logical, easy-to-understand way that resonated with those who listened. His thoughtful reasoning, sincere conviction, and patient approach reflected the deep appreciation he had for God's Word and his genuine desire to share the hope it contains.

Those who knew Brian will remember his thoughtful conversations, his love of learning, his generous willingness to share what he believed, and the quiet confidence he had in God's promises. Though his family deeply mourns his passing, they also find comfort in the resurrection hope found at John 5:28, 29—a hope Brian cherished throughout his life and looked forward to with unwavering faith.

Brian's legacy lives on through his family, his faith, and the many lives he touched. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and eagerly awaited in the fulfillment of God's promise of the resurrection.

Memorial service arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.