Photo courtesy of CLOSED-Harvey Family Funeral Home
X., Washington
Sep 6, 1937 – May 19, 2014 (Age 76)
Reverend Michael James RYAN
Beloved brother, cousin, uncle, and pastor died Monday, May 19, 2014 at the age of 76 after more than four decades of parish ministry, teaching, and extensive travels.
A retired Roman Catholic priest, Father Ryan served throughout the Seattle Archdiocese. He attended St Joseph's grade school, Seattle Prep, and Seattle University. He attended St. Thomas seminary and was ordained on May 18, 1968. In his retirement, Father Ryan continued to assist in parishes in both Washington and California in addition to his ongoing community work.
Father Ryan leaves a lasting legacy through his great faith, selfless generosity, endless love of adventure, his sense of humor, as well as his unending work with community both local and international. Father Ryan was instrumental in opening Katherine's House (named after his mother). Katherine's House offers transitional housing for adult women. In addition, Father Ryan established a secondary school in Nyumba, Rwanda where he worked to improve educational opportunities for youth.
He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Pat Heins, Father Ryan is survived by his brother Tim Ryan (Beverley), his 16 nieces and nephews including: Mike (Karen) Heins, Sue Heins, Kathy (John) Walczuk , Jim (Lori) Heins, John Heins, Matt (Carolyn) Heins, Molly (Michael) Nikunen, Tim (Isabelle) Heins, Molly (Daryl) Sullivan, Pat (Malinda) Ryan, Mike (Mardell) Ryan, Dan (Mary) Ryan, Colleen (Glen) Crabtree, Kevin (Stephanie) Ryan, Katie (Craig) Steinlicht, Jim (Becky) Ryan, Chung (Oanh) Nguyen, and 67 beloved great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Katherine's House.
Vigil service Tuesday May 27th, 7 PM at Holy Spirit Parish
327 2nd Ave. S, Kent, 98032
Funeral Mass will be Wednesday May 28th, at 10:30 AM at
St. James Cathedral
804 9th Ave., Seattle, 98104
Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle
Hoffner Fisher & Harvey
Guestbook at harveyfuneral.com
My great friend and friend to all. Always upbeat, always caring about others before himself. When I attend mass daily I often see him up there just like the picture we see now. God bless him and I am sure he is praying for all of us. He loved the winters here in the desert and I miss him still. Will see you soon. keep your golf at the ready.
paul ferrise
August 31, 2025 | Palm Desert, CA | Friend
Michael spent his winters in Palm Desert. We miss him so much. I can hardly wait to see him again. We lost our son to cancer in 2010. I am sure they are together with smiles on their faces. I can still see him their on the alter at daily mass. A joy.
paul and Polly ferrise
May 16, 2025 | Palm Desert, CA
10 years have past. Pray for me Mike.
Jim Patch
June 03, 2024 | Wolf Point, MT | Classmate
Missing your friendship more each year. Pray for me.
Jim Patch
May 16, 2019 | Wolf Point, MT
What a dear sweet man and what a sense of humor. Selfless.
r p
December 28, 2014 | Olympia, WA
I am sure God will truly appreciate your humor. Your friendship will live forever. Looking forward to celebrating the Liturgy with you on the last day. Jim Patch '68
September 03, 2014
oh Michael, i miss you dearly, even though, i know you are in great hands. you have done your best. we will all miss you at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert where you touched so many of us. I look forward to our reunion at some point, knowing that you are looking down on all of us. To Tim and family our deepest sympathy. paul and polly ferrise
July 03, 2014
Wow! Fr. Ryan was one of my all time favorite priests in Monroe. My family will be forever grateful for the funeral mass he did for my mother's passing last December. My thoughts and prayers for his entire family.
Patrick Koenig
June 29, 2014 | WA
It is with great sadness that we heard of Fr. Michael's passing while we've been gone. He was such a wonderful inspiration to us. He never missed a moment to show his humor and we loved him for it. Richard always tapped his watch during the procession to begin Mass. It was a reminder to Father that no one listens to a homily beyond 10 minutes. Father always smiled and then tapped the hymnal to remind Richard that it was time to sing. He will always be in our hearts.
Richard and Carolyn Albert
June 03, 2014 | Olympia, WA
