John Ryan

John Ryan passed away December 27 after living a long a good life. John was preceded to the Lord by his sister Martha and his parents Dorothy and John J. “Huckle” Ryan, a longtime alderman from the West End of Syracuse who was instrumental in getting the green light over red light on the stoplight in Tipperary Hill. John is survived by his loving wife Nelly, his daughter Karen (Patrick Haney), two grandchildren, and his nephew Daniel Brice (and his family). An avid golfer and allergic to Winter, John had retired to Florida with his wife. He passed away in Cincinnati visiting family.

John had a long career in Illinois politics, retiring John J. Ryan & Associates in Springfield Illinois in 2003 after a career that included service as the Illinois Hospital Association’s Director of Government Affairs; as Special Assistant to the Director of the Illinois Department of Mental Health; as Legislative Liaison to Governor Thompson in Springfield on social, health, and transportation issues; as Deputy Director of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission; and other positions including work with the Illinois Department of Child & Family Services, the Department of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities, and the Illinois House of Representatives. Prior to moving to Illinois John also worked in public affairs in Harrisburg Pennsylvania and Syracuse, New York.

A graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, St. Barnard College, and Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, John had been ordained a Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Syracuse and served in several parishes. Hearing a different calling to serve he was released from his vows and started a family while continuing to pursue social justice and equity.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Matthews House in Naples FL (Stmatthewshouse.org, 2601 Airport Road South, Naples, FL 34112 | 239-774-0500 | Tax ID Number: 65-1110501) or your local St. Vincent DePaul Society. Irish through and through, we pray that the wind is always at our back (especially on par 5’s) and that until we meet again God will hold John, and all of us, in the palm of his hand.