James Ryan

James Joseph Ryan 97, Late of Coventry, beloved husband of the late Helen (Kelly) Ryan; father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2018 at St. Francis Hospital after a short illness.  James was born February 27, 1921 in Clonanav, Ballymacarbry, County Waterford, Ireland, the son of the late Patrick and Johanna (McGrath) Ryan.  James came to the U.S. in 1948 after serving in the Irish Army during WWII; he first came to Thomaston, Ct and later to Hartford Ct.  He became a citizen of this country in 1954.  After his marriage to Helen in 1960, he became a resident of Coventry and lived there for the next 58 years.  His interest and activities in this country were wide-ranging.  He was the campaign manager for Thomas J. Dodd Sr. in his election to the U.S. Senate.  He sat on the building committee for St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Coventry CT, as well as the Coventry Finance Committee.  He was employed at the Royal Tripwires Co. in Hartford and later for the Underwood Tripwire Co until it closed in 1963, also for Sherman - Williams in Manchester, Ct.  He was lastly employed by the State of Connecticut as a supervisor until his retirement 1994.  He was a member of the Young Democrats, Knights of Columbus in Waterbury, Connecticut, the Hartford branch of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., the Irish American Home Society, first in Hartford and later of Glastonbury, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Glastonbury, Ct, Irish Northern Aid, Glastonbury, Ct, the Irish Club of Willimantic, Irish Immigration Reform Movement as well as a lifelong member of the Catholic Church in Coventry, Storrs and Willimantic CT. In the latter half of his life he became a fan of UConn Women’s Basketball and would watch all the games he could.

He is survived by his son Patrick J. Ryan and his wife Stephanie of Bennington, VT and his two daughters Eileen (Ryan) Kean and her husband Michael of Coventry, CT and Nancy (Ryan) LaPoint of Coventry, CT, one beloved grandson Sean P. Kean of Coventry, CT, his brother Michael Ryan and his wife Ann of Clonanav Ballymacarbry Ireland, two sisters-in-law: Maureen Ryan of County Limerick, Ireland and Alice Kelly of Cromwell, CT and many nieces, nephews cousins, and friends.  James was predeceased by his wife Helen (Kelly) Ryan, one son-in-law John A. LaPoint, his brothers, Thomas Ryan, John Ryan, and Gerome Ryan and his sister Shelia (Ryan) Hart, all of Ireland, two brothers -in-law Michael Hart, of Ireland and Thomas Kelly Jr. of Cromwell, CT, three sisters-in-law: Margaret (Kelly) Valencia, of Manchester, Ct Teresa (Kelly) Westmoreland of North Carolina and Marie (Kelly) Rossinal, of Maine. The family wishes to give special thanks to the nurses, doctors, and care professionals who took such excellent care of Mr. Ryan in his last hours.

James’ family will receive relatives and friends, Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte.195) Willimantic, CT. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am Friday, June 29, 2018 at St. Mary’s Church, 1600 Main St., Coventry, CT with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Club Rd., Willimantic. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Windham, CT, and/or the Second Continental Light Dragoons. 

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