Joseph Ryan
1924-2018
Joseph Everitt Ryan of Fredericton passed away October 5,
2018 at the age of 94. Joe had a long and good life. He was well known
in education, sports and UNB alumni circles. Born in Hampton in 1924,
Joe was the son of Ernest and Mary Ellen (Boyle) Ryan. In the
1930’s the Ryans moved to Fredericton, where Joe’s
dad built a house on St. John St. It would remain Joe’s home
base until 1988, when the long-time bachelor married Mary Jane (Jean)
Garagan (nee Dixon).
Beside Jean, he is survived by Jean’s children
Maureen Gallacher (Mike), Calgary, AB; Pat Garagan, Fredericton, NB;
Louis Garagan (Nancy), Calgary, AB; and Jeannie (Sean), Gilford, ON.
He also leaves Jean’s grandchildren Courtney, Connor, Erin
(Richard), Sarah (Peter), Andrew, Stephanie (Josh), David, James and
Jordan.
Joe was a beloved uncle to Patrick Murphy, Anne Marie
Everitt, Peter Ryan (Suzie), Colleen Maloney (Gerald), Moira Bosse
(Norm), Mike Murphy (Wendy), Carmel Oster (Peter), Mary Lawrence
(John), Margaret Volke (Brian). He had many grand nephews and nieces,
and many great grand nieces and nephews.
Joe was predeceased by his brother Maurice Ryan (Margaret),
twin sisters Evelyn and Helen Ryan, and sister Rita Murphy
(Joe).
Joe and Jean had many happy years together. They enjoyed
kicking up their heels, having met at a Legion dance. They bowled
together, travelled on many excursions near and far, and had happy
visits with family across Canada.
Joe was a proud alumnus of UNB, where he obtained a BA,
B.Ed., and M.Ed. He and Jean would enthusiastically attend
annual alumni events. He loved to sport his bright red UNB sweater and
cap.
After working several years in the civil service, Joe was
persuaded by his teacher brother Maurice to try his hand at that
profession. He enjoyed a long career teaching at schools in
Southhampton, Fredericton (Albert Street), Saint John (St. Rose, St.
Francis-Hazen White) and finally Doaktown where he spent 16 years.
Many former students have fond memories of “Mr.
Ryan.”
Sports was in Joe’s blood. Over the years he played
a lot of badminton, bowling, curling and softball. He curled and
played senior men’s softball till his late 80s! The last few
years he enjoyed playing catch with his nephew Peter, who says,
“Over 90, Joe could still throw strikes with
ease.”
Joe also enjoyed coaching. One of his proudest feats was
coaching the St. Dunstan’s C.Y.O. women’s softball
team to the 1953 Maritime senior women’s championship,
thanks to a grand slam homer in the last inning. In 2013 he
and the 1949-53 St. Dunstan’s team were inducted into the NB
Softball Hall of Fame.
Joe devotedly followed sports on radio and TV, especially
hockey and baseball. The Montreal Canadians and Toronto Blue Jays were
his teams! He relished telling one sports tale. One day as a young
fellow walking in downtown Fredericton, Joe got tapped on the shoulder
and heard, “Hey, kid.” He turned around. It was Babe
Ruth.
The past several years Joe resided at York Care Center, and
previously at Nashwaak Villa. Even as his health declined, his spirits
remained good. The indomitably positive outlook Joe had through life
continued amid illness. His cheerful, easy going ways made it easy for
staff to like “Joe Joe.” He got a kick out of the
fact some staff were former students. His family wishes to gratefully
acknowledge the good care Joe received at both nursing
homes.
Joe was quite religious. He long attended Holy Family
Catholic Parish and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. At York
Care Center, if a prayer service was held, Joe would invariably be
there.
Visitation will be at McAdam’s Funeral Home, 160
York St., Tuesday, October 9, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A Funeral Mass will
be celebrated by Rev. Dr. Michael McGowan at 11 am on Wednesday,
October 10, 2018 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Leverman St. in
Marysville, Fredericton. Interment following Mass will be in Hermitage
Cemetery.
Donations may be made to York Care Center (Birch Grove Unit),
NB Right to Life, or UNB.
www.mcadamsfh.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joseph Ryan 19242018..
Death notice for the town of: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick