Richard J. Ryan
Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home

Richard John Ryan, comfortably surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren, departed this life to join his family in Heaven on May 26, 2007. He was 82.

Born Dec. 1, 1924 in Bronx, NY, he was the son of Catherine and William Ryan. At the age of 17, he embarked on a life-defining journey when he persuaded his mother to allow him to join the US Navy to fight in World War ll. He became a “plank owner”, a member of the first crew of the USS Clarence K. Bronson, which cruised the Pacific and Atlantic Theatres during 1943-46. His Naval experience was second only to his family and his faith in what was most important in his life. In the US Navy he got his real education in life…about service, courage, risk, adventure, the frailty of life, and the reality of death. Throughout the rest of his life, Mr. Ryan would regularly travel to attend CKB reunions, and entertain his family and friends with stories of his experiences and lessons learned in the US Navy.

Upon returning home, he married his longtime sweetheart, Eileen Griffin at Sacred Heart Parish on May 10, 1947. They just recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He enrolled in Farmingdale University and upon graduating, shunned the Levittowns of Long Island and headed upstate to raise his family in the country. He arrived in Pawling in 1956 and moved into a colonial farmhouse where they would raise six children and spend the rest of their days. He worked for a while for the Nuclear Development Corporation and then was employed by IBM, where he stayed until his retirement in 1981.

Mr. Ryan was a communicant of St. John’s Church in Pawling. He was a member of the Knight’s of Columbus, and taught religious education there for many years. He was Scout Master of Boy Scouts of America Troop 88, and a member of the Pawling Rotary Club and the Pawling Summer Theatre. During his retirement years, he served as a volunteer of the Pawling Community Resource Center and the Hasler-Kamp Post American Legion where he served as Post Commander.
Mr. Ryan was a talented artist and calligrapher, horticulturist, and woodworker. He enthusiastically employed these talents in his volunteer work and with his many, many friends. He was a true Irishman, and especially loved Irish music and dance, as well as a good celebration.

Mr. Ryan is survived by his wife, Eileen, who resides at the family home in Pawling, as well as his six surviving children and their families: Richard Jr. and Theresa Ryan and children Tracy and Dennis of Wingdale, NY; Bernard and Cookie Ryan and their children Casey and Caitlin of Port Jefferson, NY; James and Marian Ryan and their children Meghan and Patrick of Poughquag, NY; Kathleen and William Flood and their children Maggie and Jim of Clinton Corners, NY; Michael and Marcie Ryan of Rushville, IL; and Thomas and Maria Del Mar Ryan and their children Lidia and Nuria of Danbury, CT. He was predeceased by his eldest child, Mary Eileen.

In addition to his family, Mr. Ryan enjoyed the admiration of many, many friends and neighbors whom he entertained, encouraged, and helped in any way he could over the years. There was no one lesser and no one greater than he, and he will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Services for Mr. Ryan will be held at Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling on Wednesday, May 30th from 6-9 PM.

The American Legion will conduct a service at 6 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial with Military Honors will be celebrated at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Pawling on Thurs. at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to contribute to one of his favorite charities, the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, PO Box 301, Maryknoll, NY 10545.