Edson Ryder

HARWICH — Edson Ryder, 87, of Harwich, died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis.

He was the husband of Marjorie M. (Millison) Ryder for 65 years.

Born, raised and educated in Yonkers, N.Y., Mr. Ryder was a graduate of Cornell University, class of 1942. He married Marjorie, a fellow Cornellian, in 1943, following his graduation from the Throg's Neck Navy School. He was then assigned as a radar officer aboard a destroyer escort and served escort duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for the duration of World War II.

In 1946, Mr. Ryder joined the Central Hudson Gas and Electric Co. as an administrative assistant. In 1951, he moved to New Jersey, where he worked for several companies before joining Celco (Constantine Electronics Co.) as sales manager. He retired from them to pursue his interest in gemstones.

Mr. Ryder became a GIA accredited gemologist and was a fellow in the Canadian Gemological Society. He moved to Chatham in 1986 and worked for the former Backus and Soule Jewelers in Orleans and later for Guertin Brothers Jewelers in Hyannis as a jewelry appraiser.

Mr. Ryder served on the board of directors for the Putnam County National Bank in Carmel, N.Y., for 40 years and was active in church and civic affairs until he suffered a massive stroke in 2002.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Ryder is survived by three daughters, Lynn Ryder and her partner, Gary Moores, of South Yarmouth, Jo Ellen Jacod and her husband, Edward, of Gilsum, N.H., and Melissa Ryder of Garfield, N.J.; two grandchildren, Karen Finn of Hoboken, N.J., and Edward W. Jacod Jr. of Jefferson Township, N.J.; and three nieces.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, in the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth. Interment will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 100 North St., Hyannis, MA 02601.