The City of Newburgh, New York, is in mourning following the sudden passing of Dwayne Bryant on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Dwayne was a foundational fixture, a beloved coworker, and a friendly face to thousands of locals through his nearly two decades of work with the Cosimo’s Restaurant Group, most notably at the popular waterfront destination Hudson Taco. Known for his radiant smile, infectious positivity, and unmatched warmth, his unexpected departure has left a profound void across the Newburgh community.
High Praise and Tributes from the Community
The impact of Dwayne’s kind soul was felt at every level of the city, reaching from regular restaurant patrons to city hall.
In Loving Memory of Dwayne Bryant
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Hometown Residence : Newburgh, New York
Date of Passing : Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Affiliation : Hudson Taco / Cosimo’s Restaurant Group
Tenure of Service : 2006 – 2026 (20 Years)
Known For : Unmatched warmth, positive spirit, and radiant smile
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Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey shared a moving tribute on social media, underscoring how deeply valued Dwayne was to the civic life and morale of the town:
“Rest In Peace to Dwayne!!! He worked at Hudson Taco here in the City of Newburgh!! His smile and handshake would brighten up my day with inspiration! No matter what kind of challenges I faced as Mayor…his greetings made me smile!! Rest In Peace my friend!!”
Local staples, including the team at Newburgh Brewing Company, similarly expressed their devastation, stating that they “absolutely positively adored him” and extended their thoughts and prayers to his family.
A Twenty-Year Legacy with Cosimo’s Restaurant Group
For 20 years, Dwayne was much more than a dedicated employee; he was a core pillar of the restaurant family. Representatives from Hudson Taco released a heartfelt message reflecting on his legacy since joining the group in 2006:
“It is with very heavy hearts that we share about the passing of Dwayne, a truly remarkable member of our team who has been with Cosimo’s Restaurant Group since 2006. His beautiful smile, positive attitude, and kind heart touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Dwayne brought light into every room he entered and made a lasting impact on both his coworkers and the many guests he served. He was more than an employee—he was a friend, a source of encouragement, and a valued part of our family.”
Former coworkers and regular guests filled online spaces with memories of his unparalleled empathy. Friends recalled him as “everyone’s favorite coworker” who possessed a unique knack for making long, taxing work shifts feel remarkably light.
Words of Gratitude from the Bryant Family
As tributes and shared memories continued to flood in, Dwayne’s family stepped forward to offer their profound thanks to the extended family he built over two decades in Newburgh:
“On behalf of our family, we just want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Dwayne’s staff, customers, friends, and everyone who has shared kind words, stories, and memories about him. To be honest, there are no words that can truly describe the pain of losing someone we love especially so sudden.
Reading your messages and seeing the many ways Dwayne touched people’s lives has brought comfort… Knowing that he made such a difference in the lives of others gives us a sense of peace that is hard to put into words. Look forward to meeting all of our extended family that took Dwayne in for 20 years. We love you all!”
Legacy Points: How Dwayne Touched Newburgh
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[Daily Impact] ---> Brightened long shifts and tough days for coworkers.
[Civic Uplift] ---> Offered encouragement and smiles to city leadership.
[Customer Bond] ---> Transformed casual diners into lifelong friends with his hugs.
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The Bryant family has encouraged the community to keep sharing stories, photos, and fond memories of Dwayne, as these collective accounts remain a guiding light of comfort during this sudden and difficult period of grief.