Cornelius Ryan

Cornelius (Connie) M. Ryan passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 19, 2011 at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 85 years old. Born on July 8, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, Connie grew up in Pueblo, Colorado and lived most of his adult life in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius (Neal) M. Ryan and Vivian Ryan Griffin, and his wife, Emma McCarney Ryan. Survivors include daughters Susan (Bob) Ryan Langdon and Patricia Ryan, granddaughter Jennifer Langdon, all of Albuquerque; Life Companion of 24 years Adna Assel of Peoria, Arizona; Adna's daughter Joyce (Wayne) Van Cleve of Peoria, Arizona; Adna's son Edward (Jacqui) Assel of Killeen, Texas; Adna's grandchildren Chris Van Cleve of Peoria, Arizona; Shannon (John) Catt of Gilbert, Arizona and Megan Assel of Killeen, Texas. Connie also leaves behind brother-in-law Pete Cornish of Pueblo, Colorado; sister-in-law Evelyn McCarney of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews including Sharon (Lloyd) McCarney Kinsey of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Leo McCarney of Mesa, Arizona; Denis Cornish of Las Cruces, New Mexico; John Cornish of Pueblo, Colorado; Heather (Flint) Fisher of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Patrick (Susan) Cornish of Garden City, Kansas. Connie, a U.S. Navy radioman during World War II, had a lifelong passion for math, electronics, radio and engineering. He earned his Amateur Radio License at the age of 10; quite a feat in 1936. He still had his Advanced Amateur Radio License at the time of his death. Connie worked as an Electronics Technician for and retired from the U.S. Department of Defense including assignments at: Pueblo Army Depot, Guided Missile Repair and Maintenance; Redstone Arsenal, Ordnance Guided Missile Center; and White Sands Missile Range, Ballistic Missile Systems. Other temporary duty assignments included: Pacific Proving Grounds, Nevada Test Site, Eglin Air Force Base, Sandia Base, Fort Bliss and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. A memorial service will be held on September 10, 2011 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, Watkins Hall at 200 E. Boutz Rd. in Las Cruces. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to: American Radio Relay League (ARRL), In Memoriam of Cornelius Ryan, W5OGP, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT. 06111-1494 Or National Museum of Nuclear Science and History Attn: Charles Lowery, 601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 (505) 245-2137, Or your favorite charity.