Brother John M. Ryan, a past officer of the North Carolina AOH and the Governor Thomas Burke AOH Division (Wake County), passed away on August 5, 2016.
John Michael Ryan
JULY 30, 1941 – AUGUST 5, 2016
YOUNGSVILLE
John Michael Ryan, 75, of Youngsville, NC passed away on August 5, 2016 surrounded by family. John was born July 30, 1941 to John and Barbara (Smith) Ryan (both deceased) and grew up in the Albany, NY area with his brother Walter (also deceased).
He is survived by his spouse of 37 years, Anne Fitzsimons Ryan, three children; Mary Elizabeth (Brad) McAdams of Raleigh, NC, Shawn (Amber) Ryan of Richmond, VA, and Scott (Jessica) DiMartino of Charleston, SC, his grandchildren Ella, Jack, Connor, Alexandra, Meghan and Jake, and his beloved dog, Marley.
John was a veteran of the United States Navy and was a computer and business systems developer while that field was in its infancy. He received an Associate Degree in Accounting from Albany Business College and taught computer math at Ulster Community College in the late 1960’s. His career included long tenures with Xerox and IBM. At various times he called Albany, NY, Saugerties, NY, Rochester, NY, Sacramento, CA, and finally Youngsville, NC home. Stationed in Naples, Italy during his enlistment, his personal and professional travels also took him to New York City, Cairo, Egypt and Copenhagen, Denmark among other places.
John will be remembered for his love of God, family, friends, the New York Yankees, horse racing and his Irish heritage. A parishioner at St. Catherine’s of Siena in Wake Forest, he enjoyed men’s bible study and service to his parish and his community. As a boy visiting his great aunt, Sister Mary Michael Ryan, in the Bronx, he developed a life-long passion for the Yankees, and he attended many games – the apex being Game 1 of the 1998 World Series. Horse racing was another love, which he shared with many dear friends. He loved nothing more than a summer weekend in Saratoga – win or lose. Throughout his life he remained devoted to his Irish and Roman Catholic heritage and is a past President of the Rochester and Raleigh Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Despite his many interests he always had time for his family and friends – you would find no one more loyal, generous, humorous or caring in your corner.
The family would like to recognize the many extraordinary caregivers from REX Hospital, UNC Cancer Center and Transitions LifeCare who ministered to John and our family over the last few weeks of John’s life. We appreciate your attentiveness, compassion and willingness to learn about the man in your care.
Visitation is Tuesday evening, August 9th from 6-8:00 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Wednesday, August 10th at 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 600 W Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The USO at uso.org, an organization founded in the year of his birth, and which he supported regularly.
A service of Bright Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC(919) 556-5811 www.brightfunerals.com
