Honorable Terrence Patrick Ryan

1930 - 2019

Honorable Terrence Patrick Ryan

Suffern - The Honorable Terrence Patrick Ryan, of Suffern NY, passed away peacefully on February 19, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 17, 1930 to John J. Ryan and Pearl (Behney) Ryan in NY, NY.

He was raised in the Bronx and attended St. Francis of Rome Grammar School, where he was awarded the 1944 Medal of Honor, Regis HS, Fordham University and Fordham Law School.

In 1953 he married Catherine (Kate) McCarthy, (D 1991). They raised seven children. They would have been married 66 years on Feb. 7.

In 1952, during the Korean War, he enlisted in the US Army Signal Corp as a French Interpreter. He served for 2 years, stationed in France. He was joined there by Kate and their first child, Mary, was born in France. Upon his discharge, he attended Fordham Law School at night, working by day in the Family Business, Ryan's Bar and Grill in Lower Manhattan. He graduated in 1958.

The family moved to Pearl River, NY in 1958 and then to Suffern NY in 1963, where he has resided since.

He passed the NY State Bar in 1958 and practiced Law for 55 years. He began his legal career at The Law Firm of Sichol and Hicks in Suffern NY, followed by a Partnership with, then Rockland County DA, Robert Meehan, Ryan and Meehan Esq. This was followed by a period as a solo Attorney, a Partnership with John Schwarz, Ryan and Schwarz Esq. and finally as a solo Attorney.

Strongly influenced by his Jesuit Education, he followed the their tenet of living his life as "A Man for Others". Through his legal career, as a Defense Attorney, he helped many people with matters that may have seemed simple but were of great importance to them. He is fondly remembered by many in the Rockland Community for helping them and treating them with dignity, in their time of need.

He retained his ability to speak French and assisted many Haitian Clients with their legal issues. He was the Village Justice of Suffern, NY for 3 terms from 1970-1982.

His Motto was 'Fairness and Firmness in Court'.

He would often describe operating a courtroom as similar to his experience in dealing with a large family. "You must pay attention to each person but keep the interest of the whole group clearly in mind."

He was a President of the Rockland County Bar Association. He was a President of the NY State Magistrates Association. He was a member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild. He was a Lector at Sacred Heart Church.

He was an avid golfer, and avid tennis player.

Disciple of the Principles of Dynamic Tension. He had a great appreciation for music and loved to hear the tunes of Gershwin and his granddaughter, Lisa Raposa Millar of the Internationally Renowned Raposa & Millar Piano Duo.

He is survived by his 7 children: Mary (Robert) Raposa, Vincent de Paul (Kathleen) Ryan, Theresa (Siri) Farmer, Claire Ryan, David (Grant) Ryan, Monica Ryan and Peter (Therese) Ryan; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, his brother, Richard, (Helen), and sister, Sarah Ryan of the Sisters of the Presentation. He is predeceased by his brothers John (Lyda, Mary) and James, (Priscilla).

The Ryan family would like to especially thank his 'Earth Angels' Naomi, Michelle, Marie, Luz and Stephanie for their loving caretaking. They treated Dad with the same love and respect that they would their own Father.

They would also like to thank all of the good people at Good Samaritan Hospital, especially in the Wound Care Unit, as well as The Suffern Police Dept and The Ramapo Ambulance Corp.

And finally they would like to thank the full staff at the Allendale Nursing Home and the Hospice Group from the Valley Hospital for their wonderful and empathetic care in his final days.

The viewing will be held on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 3-7PM at The Scarr Funeral Home, 160 Orange Ave, Suffern NY 10901. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Feb. 22 at 11AM at The Sacred Heart Church, Suffern, NY. The internment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to: Legal Aid of Rockland County Alzheimer's Association