Daniel Joseph Ryan Jr.

Daniel Joseph Ryan, Jr., age 89, of St. Paul, passed away on April 22, 2025, after a sudden illness. Dan was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Mercedes Ryan; sister, Denyse Kingston; and beloved grandchildren, Sarah Beth and Benjamin Henry Ryan.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; children, Michael (Kristin) Ryan of Roseville and Anne (Joel) Anderson of Minneapolis; and grandchildren, Will and Nick Anderson, Alexander Docken, and Rachel (Dawson) Moder.
A graduate of Loyola University, Dan met his wife Mary when she moved to Chicago for her first job. They married in 1967 and moved to St. Paul in 1973 to raise their family. They were active members of Nativity Parish where Dan volunteered in numerous ways for many years.
Dan was known for the twinkle in his eye and always having a joke to share. He consistently put family first. He was deeply proud of his grandchildren and was a devoted caregiver to his dearly loved granddaughter, Sarah, often watching her overnight. Sarah loved to hold his thumb while she slept, earning him the affectionate nickname "Thumbpa."
For a kid who grew up in the city of Chicago, Dan developed a true love for fishing. He especially enjoyed time on Bone Lake in Wisconsin, where he and Mary owned a cabin for many years. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports over the years and cherished the lifelong friendships made along the way.
A die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, Dan was thrilled when his team won the World Series in 2016. Just a day before he passed, he made sure his grandson Nick would take over his beloved fantasy football team. Dan also enjoyed playing cribbage and bridge and participated in many leagues over the years.
His cheerful smile, generous spirit, and great sense of humor will be dearly missed.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15, from 5–7 PM at O'Halloran and Murphy, 575 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 16, at 10:30 AM at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 1938 Stanford Ave., St. Paul. Private burial at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.