James ‘Jim’ Paul Ryan
LOWELL James ‘Jim’ Paul Ryan, 80, of Lowell, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016, at home with his family, friends, and relatives at his side. He was the beloved husband of Eleanor M. (Regan) Ryan, with whom he would have celebrated their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary next month.
A son of the late Joseph and the late Sarah (Fagan) Ryan, he was born October 20, 1935, in Lowell, and attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School before graduating from Keith Academy. He then moved on to graduate from Industrial Technical School in Boston.
In 1958, Mr. Ryan enlisted with the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge in 1963.
For most of his lifetime, he made his home in the Highlands Section of the city, and was a dedicated communicant of St. Margaret Parish. In addition to time spent with family and friends, in his younger days, he enjoyed playing baseball and then softball in leagues when he got older. He mostly enjoyed spending time at home, supporting his four sons sports teams as they were growing up. He also loved animals, especially cats, and would help anyone out that he could.
He was a well known painter and handyman who could do or fix anything. He was employed at Avco/Textron Industries as a test engineer for over thirty years before his retirement.
In addition to the love of his life, Eleanor, he is survived by his sons, Robert Ryan of Ayer, James D. Ryan of Lowell, Timothy J. Ryan and his wife, Brenda of Nashua, NH, and Christopher M. Ryan of Biddeford, ME; and his grandchildren, Katherine Ryan, Patrick Ryan, Shannon B. Ryan, Jillian P. Ryan, Caden C. Ryan, and Callie M. Ryan. He is also survived by his brother in law, Daniel P. Regan Sr. of Chelmsford; his closest friends, Charlie and Joyce Sullivan of Lowell; and nine nephews and a niece.
He was also the grandfather of the late Matthew Ryan, and a brother of, the late Mary and Thomas Dougherty, the late Bernard and Angela Ryan, the late Claire and John Egan, the late Joseph Ryan, the late Margaret Ryan, and the late Robert Ryan, and the brother in law of the late Barbara Regan. He was also predeceased by his niece, Anne Dietsch and his nephew, John Dougherty.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 8:30 UNTIL 10 A.M. SATURDAY MORNING AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE FUNERAL HOME. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET PARISH, 374 STEVENS ST., LOWELL AT 11 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. IN JIM’S MEMORY, PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY C/O ST. MARGARET CHURCH, 374 STEVENS STREET, LOWELL, MA 01851 OR TO THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE.
