Richard A Ryan Jr., 87, passed away Monday, October 16, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on September 20, 1936, he was the son of Richard A Ryan Sr. and Irene Tiernan Ryan. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Harold, and his wife of 38 years, Marilyn “Cally” Ryan, whom he married on August 22, 1985.
Dick moved to Fairhaven, Mass. in 1938. He graduated from Fairhaven High School. He was a volunteer fireman in Fairhaven. He took night classes studying engineering and drafting. He began working for Home Gas in 1956 and retired from there in 2001. He started out painting tanks and delivering propane and worked his way up to East Coast Safety Director. He was transferred to Pembroke, N.H. in 1970, and then to the Berkshires in 1975. He was on the cover of LP Gas Magazine, the Northeast Regulatory Board, and wrote gas codes for the state of Massachusetts.
Dick enjoyed fishing with his friends George Broder and Don LaLiberty in Buzzards Bay and around Martha’s Vineyard. After retiring, he and Cal moved to Clayton and could often be seen helping their son Scott at many pig roasts. He enjoyed having his weekend cigars. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley church in Sheffield.
Richard is survived by his sons, David (Jennifer), Scott (Alicia), and Glenn (Krystal); his grandchildren, Nicholas, Danielle, Samantha, and Tyde; his great-grandchildren, Shanaya, Dontae, and Alexander; his sister Helen; his brother Kenneth; and many nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, October 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Birches-Roy Funeral Home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Dick’s memory may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be made through the funeral home’s website.
