John Ryan

1931 - 2024

John E. Ryan

VERNON - John E. Ryan, 92, a forty-eight year resident of Vernon, beloved husband of the late Florida (Mercier) Ryan, peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family on Sunday, February 4, 2024. John was born on December 26, 1931, in Blackstone, Massachusetts, one of five children of the late Michael A. and Mary (Guilbeault) Ryan. He was raised in Blackstone and attended local schools. John was a 1953 graduate of Providence College where he was a soloist with the Providence College Glee Club. Shortly thereafter, John and Florida married in 1953. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 and served his country during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1955. John and Florida cherished the military years during which John was stationed in London, England. During that time, they enjoyed traveling throughout Europe together. John later earned his masters degree from Rhode Island College in 1967.

John worked for over 30 years with the State of Connecticut, retiring in 1986, as Bureau Chief of the State Department of Adult Education. He was very active and well regarded in his profession, having served as President of the National Association of Public & Continuing Education. John was a longtime parishioner of St. Bernard Church in Rockville, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. John was a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council #4122, 4th Degree Assembly. He was also a member of the Korban Fraternity-3rd Order Franciscans as well as the Scottish Order of Franciscans. John was very active in the Cornerstone Foundation in Vernon, where he served as President of the Cornerstone Board of Directors.

John loved vacationing on Cape Cod with his family, a tradition started by his parents in the 1960s and continues to this day, with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He enjoyed making clam cakes on the Cape for the family, while starting an occasional water balloon fight at the same time. He adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren, playing with them, having lengthy conversations with them, and bringing them out for ice cream. He enjoyed hosting family swim parties and cookouts in the summer and he loved a competitive game of Tuck, a handmade Canadian board game, which John enjoyed playing with family for decades.

John is survived by his five children and their spouses: Charlene and Ralph Russo of Hebron, Kevin and Natalie Ryan of Yarmouth Port, MA, Debra and Chuck Adam of Boxford, MA, Robert and Mary Ellen Ryan of Bellingham, MA and Michael and Ginny Ryan of Newtown. His fourteen loved and cherished grandchildren: Christopher and spouse Staci, Sarah, Emily, Justin, Jeremy and spouse Cheyenne, John, Ashley and spouse Eric, Melissa and spouse Max, Lindsay, Alexandra, Jennifer, Meagan, Matthew and spouse Allie, Haley and spouse Ben, as well as his five special great-grandchildren, Sophie, Layla, Peter, Henry and Ella. In addition to his wife and parents, John was predeceased by his three brothers: Cornelius, Oscar, and Michael Ryan and his sister, Mary Brady.

Calling hours will be at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road in Vernon, on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 4-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernard Church, 25 St. Bernard Terrace in Rockville on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 10:00 am. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Paul Cemetery, in Blackstone, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cornerstone Foundation at www.cornerstone-cares.org which was so dear to Johns heart. To leave a condolence, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com