Visitation: Monday (1/17) 3 - 7 PM
Funeral Mass: Tuesday (1/18) 10:30 AM @ Saint Ephrem R.C. Church
Crematory: Green-Wood Crematory (Brooklyn, NY)

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On Friday, January 7, 2022 at approximately 12 Noon, James Francis Ryan, Sr. went to the heavenly kingdom. He was 86 and a half years old. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY on June 8, 1935 to the late great Francis and Ruth Ryan. He was the eldest of 9 children and came from an extremely loving and caring Irish family.

James was always ambitious and received good grades and was very studious. He attended St. Ephrem's School for 8 years and was a member of the boy's choir. He was always very proud of his association with St. Ephrem's parish and among other things was a lecturer.
After his tenure at St. Ephrem's ended he went on to St. Michael's High School which is now known as Xaverian. He was very popular and made several lifelong friends. In later years he always enjoyed going to his class reunions.

As was mentioned previously, James was a very industrious man who not only attended Brooklyn College for 4 years but also Fordham University where he graduated with honors.

It was during his senior year at Brooklyn College where he decided what career path was the best and most meaningful to him.
He spent the better part of his life working for Catholic Charities Family Service in Staten Island for an amazing 41 years. He was a very important man there as he was District Supervisor. His formal title was MSN or Master of Social Work where he counseled individuals, married couples as well as children and teen, etc.

Everyone who ever dealt with or worked for him had no doubt of what an extraordinary man he was.
Regarding his personal life he spent 2 years in the Army during but not in the Korean war from 1953-1955. He was stationed in Germany where he would tell his family, friends, etc. of how he nearly lost his life dealing with a Russian soldier. My father had such a huge heart that he didn't want to shoot him despite the fact he was the enemy. Always a devout Catholic he said a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel and amazingly the soldier looked up to the sky, put his gun down and just walked away. We certainly felt, and I'm sure James did, that this was divine intervention.

Now it was during his time at Fordham University that he met the love of his life. He always told us children of the circumstances of this encounter and the fact is neither of them wanted to go to this dance. The bottom line is that both of their best friends twisted their arms so to speak and talked them into attending. My mom very unhappy with her date was getting ready to leave and began walking towards my father. My dad started talking to her and as they say, "The rest is history".

They were married on Saturday, June 6, 1964 in St. Ephrem's Church which was also the same day my dad was supposed to graduate from Fordham University. He phoned to the Dean to tell him that he had a very good excuse for not attending the graduation by stating that "I'm getting married today". James and Kathleen went on to have 3 children: Celeste, James and Carolyn. We lived in Kathleen's family home at 720 67th Street, Brooklyn, NY. She was also a former student as well as a lifelong member of St. Ephrem's. Naturally, all 3 of their children went there as well.

The most important as well as meaningful aspect regarding James was that he truly thought of everyone above himself. There was nothing he wouldn't do or sacrifice too great for his family and friends, etc.

Even after a long days work he always made time for us children saying something like how was your day and do you need any help with your homework. As one of his closest friends said, nobody whoever met James had anything negative to say about him. He was beloved by all who knew him and will be sorely missed. This world has lost a truly outstanding man.

James was predeceased by his wonderful parents, Francis and Ruth Ryan, his siblings Francis, Jr, Joseph, Ruth, John, and Paul. In addition, he was predeceased by his faithful devoted wife, Kathleen (nee Reidy). He's survived by his 3 children, Celeste (56), James, Jr. (54) both of Brooklyn, NY and Carolyn Vella (52) of Long Island. He's also survived by his 2 adoring grandsons, Emanuel (Manny) 17 and Casey 10. His remaining 3 siblings are Ann Connolly and Mary Ellen Werth of New Jersey and Vincent of Brooklyn. Dearest Dad, you may be gone but are never going to be forgotten.



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Thank You,
Clavin Funeral Home