Richard T. 'Dick' Ryan
Loving Husband, Father and Grandfather
LOWELL Richard T. 'Dick' Ryan, 84, of Lowell, died after a long illness surrounded by his loving family, Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Saints Medical Center. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Kennedy) Ryan, with whom they would have celebrated their 53rd Wedding Anniversary this coming September.
Born July 25, 1927, in Lowell, he was a son of the late William, and the late Florence (Griffin) Ryan, attended St. Peter’s Grammar School, and graduated from Lowell High School with the Class of 1945.
Immediately after High School, Mr. Ryan served with the United States Navy during World War II.
Dick was a lifelong Lowell resident, currently residing in the Highlands section of the city. He was an active communicant of St. Margaret's Church and was also a Senior Alter Server for his parish. He was also a member of the Poor Clare Guild. He was employed as a Postal Clerk for over 35 years for the Post Office before his retirement in 1987. He enjoyed playing cribbage, traveling to the casinos and listening to Irish music. Dick cherished his family above everything else. His most favorite role was that of being “Papa” to his loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Mary, he is survived by a daughter, Kathleen Avery and her husband, Skip of Lexington; three sons, Richard Ryan and his wife, Sharon of Chelmsford, Sean Ryan and his wife, Amy of Scarborough, ME, and Patrick Ryan and his wife, Debra of Burlington; five grandchildren, Kaitlin Couture and her husband, Jonathan of Chelmsford, Daniel Ryan and his wife, Lauren of Brighton, Meghan Ryan of Chelmsford, Carolyn Avery of Lexington, and Brigid Avery of Lexington; and two great-grandchildren, Kyleigh and Aiden Couture of Chelmsford. He is also survived by two sisters in law, Agnes Sweeney of New York, and Elizabeth Clune and her husband, Patrick of New Jersey; and two brothers in law, Gerard Kennedy and his wife, Margaret of New Jersey, and Lawrence Kennedy and his wife, Agnes of County Clare Ireland.
He was also the brother of the late Florence MacDonald and her husband, Angus, the late Sister Florence William, S.C.H., and the late William 'Bouncer' Ryan who was killed in action during WWII; brother in law of the late John Kennedy and his wife, Kathleen, the late Cecilia Yelverton and her husband, Patrick, and the late John Sweeney.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY, APRIL 27. ON SATURDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 8 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH AT 9:30 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY, TEWKSBURY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME MAY BE MADE TO ST. MARGARET'S PARISH RENOVATION FUND, 374 STEVENS STREET, LOWELL, MA 01851 or SAINTS MEDICAL CENTER, ATTN: PULMONARY REHAB, 155 MERRIMACK STREET, PO BOX 7075, LOWELL, MA 01852 . PLEASE VISIT WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM TO SEND THE FAMILY AN E-CONDOLENCE.
