JOHN RYAN

RYAN--Dr. John D., of Delray Beach, Florida, Newport, Rhode Island, and formerly of Stamford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully last Monday, September 6th at the age of 95 years. He was born in Stamford, CT, the eldest son of Rose (Tooher) and William A. Ryan. A long time resident of Stamford, CT he graduated with honors from Stamford High School in 1932. After attending college at New York University College of Arts and Pure Sciences, he graduated from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1941. After an 18-month internship at New York University Bellevue Medical Center, he entered World War II with the Bellevue Affiliate Unit of the U.S. Army's First General Hospital. He served in both England and France attaining the rank of Major. In 1945, he married Kathleen M. Masterson, RN of New York City at the Church of the Madeleine in Paris, France. While serving in France, Dr. Ryan worked at the American Hospital in Paris and was honored with the French Croix de Guerre. After the war, he completed his surgical residency at Bellevue Hospital. He was certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1950 and was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He entered private practice in 1951 returning to Stamford, where he was appointed as attending surgeon at the Stamford Hospital and at the former St. Joseph Hospital in Stamford. He practiced General Surgery until his retirement. He was Director of the Surgical Division of St. Joseph's Hospital from 1960 to 1966, President of the Medical Staff of that hospital from January, 1969 until December, 1971, a member of their Board of Directors in 1971 and joined the Executive Board in 1975. For his service to church and community he was honored as a Knight in the Order of St. Gregory by Pope John Paul, II. He is remembered as a kind, generous, wise man; a loving husband, father and brother; a wonderful listener, a mentor to family and friends. He is not only survived by his wife of 65 years, but also by his seven children; John Dennis Ryan of Stamford, CT, Michelle Hubbard Simonds of New Canaan, CT, Dr. Richard G. Ryan, of Old Lyme, CT, James B. Ryan of Delray Beach, FL, Michael D. Ryan, of West Palm Beach, FL, Yvonne Ryan Cusick of Kensington, CA, and Dr. Terrence W. Ryan of Litchfield, CT, and ten grandchildren, and one great-grandson. He is also survived by his two sisters, Mrs. Rosemary Magner of Boca Raton, FL and Mrs. Alice Devine of Norwalk, CT. He was pre-deceased by his two brothers, Vincent A. Ryan and William A. Ryan and his sister, Rita (Ryan) Lacovo, all formally of Stamford, CT and Delray Beach, FL. A memorial celebration of his life will be held at The Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church in Stamford on September 18, 2010 at ten o'clock in the morning.