John Edward Ryan

John Edward Ryan, 85

Defreestville - John Edward Ryan, 85, of 106 Pine Street, Defreestville, died Tuesday, December 11, 2007.

He was son of the late Edward L. and Agnes M. Ryan of Troy and a graduate of LaSalle and Holy Cross College. A Navy Lieutenant, he did Pacific wartime service. In 1945 he married his truly beloved wife, Mary Katherine TenEyck of Troy. She died November 2006.

He was father of John T. Ryan of Staten Island, Kathleen Harder of Saratoga and the late James Ryan. He and his wife lovingly raised grandson, John Harder, a Siena senior and soon to be Army Lieutenant. His beloved sister, Colleen Rooney and her four sons, William, David, Paul and Christopher and their families survive him.

Until retirement, he worked in insurance and founded Ryan & O'Haire Agency on River Street and then 5th Avenue, Troy. A person of impeccable character, he was charming, intelligent, possessed of great humor and a terrible singing voice, and passionately in love with God, the people of God, his Church, and family and friends. Full listing of his church and civic work here would bankrupt his survivors. Suffice to say, our local community and world at large benefitted from his goodness and generosity. Heaven is livelier and he is mourned. Hours before dying, he thanked God for life, for family, friends, and faith and thanked the Furdyna Family, Community Hospice, St. Peter's Hospital, his doctors, and all who cared for his wife and himself in their illnesses.

Funeral service will be held Friday evening at 7:30 PM at St. Michael the Archangel Church Williams Road North Greenbush where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.

Relatives and friends may call at the CHURCH Friday evening from 4-7 PM prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to: Project Hospitality, 100 Park Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302 or Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144. Burial private at Saratoga National Cemetery.

 Service Information