 |  |
On October 11th, 2022, John M. Ryan, age 90, passed away, content with his life and secure in his faith. After sharing breakfast with his daughter, visiting with an ailing friend, lunching with his wife Jan, and then enjoying the beauties of a glorious fall day at the home of his son, John died suddenly and quietly. His last day was a reflection of how he lived every day: with joy, generosity, and gusto.
John was born to an Irish father--a milkman at Netherland Dairy in Syracuse--and a first-generation Irish mother, who taught elementary school. He spent his youth on the west side, helping his father on the milk truck and attending high school at Most Holy Rosary. After contemplating life as a priest, and briefly attending St. Michael’s seminary in Toronto, he decided his talents lay elsewhere. John joined the Marine Corps, eventually becoming a Naval Aviator and rising to the rank of Captain. He remained on Active Duty from 1954-1958, and on Active Reserve from 1958-1965. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1960 under the G.I. bill.
Over the next thirty years, John worked variously in sales, marketing, banking and insurance. After a brief period that could be called “retirement,” he became restless, and went on to earn his license as a long-haul trucker. He eventually exchanged his “big rig” for a Marcellus school bus. John would be the first to admit that he never had a career; instead, he had a history of working hard, working with dedication, and taking “absolute pleasure” in every job he ever held, whether he wore a military uniform, a suit and tie, or a Carhartt jacket.
One block away from his childhood home on Gordon Ave. lived Jeanne Byrnes, whose beauty, wit, and charm beguiled him from the first time they met. On Dec. 26, 1955, Jeanne would become his beloved wife. They were married for 47 years. As they raised their family and negotiated challenges large and small, they were sustained by faith and supported by love. They never missed an opportunity to celebrate simple pleasures: laughter with friends, Sunday meals with family, story time with a grandchild, or a walk together on a beach. John measured his success in life in the ties that bind and the gift of his marriage, his four children, his seven grandchildren, and his six great grandchildren.
After Jeanne’s death in 2002, John was fortunate to find happiness again. He married Janet Mulvihill and for the past seventeen years they shared many adventures and joys. He was blessed to be included in the life of her family, with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
John Ryan lived his life according to a few simple principles: never hold a grudge, never miss the opportunity to help a friend or a stranger, be grateful for God’s blessings, even when they’re not clear, and savor every moment for the gift that it is.
John Ryan is survived by his daughters Melanie Duerr (Dan), Kitty O’Donnell (Tim), and Ann Ryan (Tom Kennedy) and by his son, J.T. Ryan (Monique); by his grandchildren Lindsey Martin (Maya Ginns), Caitlin Fields (Chris), Chris O’Donnell (Laura), Molly Meng (Hao), Paul O’Donnell (Grace), Jeanmarie Ryan and Veronica Ryan; and by his great grandchildren Nolan, Clara, Ryan, Emma, Alice, and Maeve. He is also survived by his sister Rita Nann, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
John is also survived by his wife Janet Mulvihill Ryan, and by her children Patricia Francescotti, John Mulvihill Jr. (Priscilla), Richard Mulvihill, Kevin Mulvihill (Molly), Michael Mulvihill (Gretchen), and by their fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
John was predeceased by his wife Jeanne, by his son Michael, by his parents John and Marion Ryan, by his brother Kevin Ryan and by his sister Margaret “Peggy” Clancy.
Services will be held on Tuesday, October 18th at 11am at St. Mary’s of The Lake Church, 10 West Austin Street in Skaneateles, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made The Massachusetts General Hospital Global Disaster Response and Humanitarian Action program, which is currently supporting relief efforts in Ukraine, among other needy spots in the world. You can donate at the following site giving.massgeneral.org. Please designate the program “Global Disaster Response and Humanitarian Action” fund when making your gift and “in honor of John M. Ryan.”
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
John was born to an Irish father--a milkman at Netherland Dairy in Syracuse--and a first-generation Irish mother, who taught elementary school. He spent his youth on the west side, helping his father on the milk truck and attending high school at Most Holy Rosary. After contemplating life as a priest, and briefly attending St. Michael’s seminary in Toronto, he decided his talents lay elsewhere. John joined the Marine Corps, eventually becoming a Naval Aviator and rising to the rank of Captain. He remained on Active Duty from 1954-1958, and on Active Reserve from 1958-1965. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1960 under the G.I. bill.
Over the next thirty years, John worked variously in sales, marketing, banking and insurance. After a brief period that could be called “retirement,” he became restless, and went on to earn his license as a long-haul trucker. He eventually exchanged his “big rig” for a Marcellus school bus. John would be the first to admit that he never had a career; instead, he had a history of working hard, working with dedication, and taking “absolute pleasure” in every job he ever held, whether he wore a military uniform, a suit and tie, or a Carhartt jacket.
One block away from his childhood home on Gordon Ave. lived Jeanne Byrnes, whose beauty, wit, and charm beguiled him from the first time they met. On Dec. 26, 1955, Jeanne would become his beloved wife. They were married for 47 years. As they raised their family and negotiated challenges large and small, they were sustained by faith and supported by love. They never missed an opportunity to celebrate simple pleasures: laughter with friends, Sunday meals with family, story time with a grandchild, or a walk together on a beach. John measured his success in life in the ties that bind and the gift of his marriage, his four children, his seven grandchildren, and his six great grandchildren.
After Jeanne’s death in 2002, John was fortunate to find happiness again. He married Janet Mulvihill and for the past seventeen years they shared many adventures and joys. He was blessed to be included in the life of her family, with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
John Ryan lived his life according to a few simple principles: never hold a grudge, never miss the opportunity to help a friend or a stranger, be grateful for God’s blessings, even when they’re not clear, and savor every moment for the gift that it is.
John Ryan is survived by his daughters Melanie Duerr (Dan), Kitty O’Donnell (Tim), and Ann Ryan (Tom Kennedy) and by his son, J.T. Ryan (Monique); by his grandchildren Lindsey Martin (Maya Ginns), Caitlin Fields (Chris), Chris O’Donnell (Laura), Molly Meng (Hao), Paul O’Donnell (Grace), Jeanmarie Ryan and Veronica Ryan; and by his great grandchildren Nolan, Clara, Ryan, Emma, Alice, and Maeve. He is also survived by his sister Rita Nann, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
John is also survived by his wife Janet Mulvihill Ryan, and by her children Patricia Francescotti, John Mulvihill Jr. (Priscilla), Richard Mulvihill, Kevin Mulvihill (Molly), Michael Mulvihill (Gretchen), and by their fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
John was predeceased by his wife Jeanne, by his son Michael, by his parents John and Marion Ryan, by his brother Kevin Ryan and by his sister Margaret “Peggy” Clancy.
Services will be held on Tuesday, October 18th at 11am at St. Mary’s of The Lake Church, 10 West Austin Street in Skaneateles, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made The Massachusetts General Hospital Global Disaster Response and Humanitarian Action program, which is currently supporting relief efforts in Ukraine, among other needy spots in the world. You can donate at the following site giving.massgeneral.org. Please designate the program “Global Disaster Response and Humanitarian Action” fund when making your gift and “in honor of John M. Ryan.”
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
