Mortimer Ryon

Mortimer Ryon of Chestertown, Md., died peacefully at home on Nov. 22, 2014. The cause was congestive heart failure.

He was born in Scranton, Pa., to Katherine Hummel Ryon and John Lesley Ryon on July 15, 1929. He was the beloved husband of Sandra L. Ryon for 43 years. He was the devoted father of Kathleen P. Savageau, Denver, Colo.; Carolyn R. Mayers, Onancock, Va.; Jennifer R. Mazza, Louisa, Va.; and Mortimer Ryon Jr., Huntington, Conn. He was the loving stepfather of Katharine C. Gorka, McLean, Va.; James K. Cornell, Boston, Mass.; Eleanor C. Gottwald, Richmond, Va.; and Andrew H. Cornell, Mountaintop, Pa.; and the proud grandfather of 11. He was predeceased by his sister, Nancy Ryon Muniot; his brother, John Lesley Ryon Jr.; and his former spouse, Kathleen Ferenbach Ryon.

He was a graduate of Lawrenceville, Lafayette College and Cornell Law School. For 30 years, he served as general counsel to the International Salt Co. and secretary to AKZONA Inc. (AKZO Nobel).

When he retired in 1994, he had his 1960 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce restored, and fulfilled a passion by spending the next 10 years racing with the Vintage Sports Car Club of America.

He spent more than 50 summers on his beloved Nantucket Island. He loved reading books about history, listening to Dixieland jazz and spending time with his family and friends and his Jack Russells, and he loved celebrations.

A funeral service will be held at Emmanuel Church, Chestertown, Md., on Frida y, Dec. 5 at 11:30 a.m.

For those who wish, contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 377, Solebury, PA 18963, Emmanuel Church, 101 Cross St., Chestertown, MD 21620, or Compass Hospice, 255 Comet Drive, Centreville, MD 21617.

Condolences: www.fhnfuneralhome.com.