In Loving Memory of Thomas Joseph “Tom” Ryan
After a brief illness, Thomas passed away on Sunday, April 16th, 2017 at Health Sciences North, aged 71, surrounded by his family and close friends. Loving husband and partner to Mary Ryan (predeceased) and caring and unwaveringly supportive father of Patrick (Jenny Hazelton) and Nicholas (Carlee Ranger). Tom was much loved by his brother Gabriel and the Ryans, Lawlors, and Milligans (Ursula, John, Charlotte, Emily, Patrick, Sean, Una, Grace, Lucy and Eve) in England and by his sister Mary Greenberg and her family in the United States (David, Alex, and Pippa). He was also loved by his in-laws, Ronald (predeceased) and Shirley Milne of Burlington, as well as his brother-in-law David Milne (Karin) of Oakville, and their children Vanessa (James Mirtle), Andrew, and their grandson Clark.

Thomas was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1945 to Vin and Una Ryan (both predeceased) and moved to Toronto in 1969 where he obtained his Ph.D. in English Literature from York University. He discovered his love of playing traditional Irish music while living in Toronto and continued that passion when he moved to Sudbury in 1979 where he played with the Friends of Erin and recently in the Wild Geese with his son, Patrick. His playing and energy will be greatly missed by his friends at the Monday night music sessions at the Laughing Buddha. He also had a passion for teaching and taught English at Cambrian College, Laurentian University, and College Boreal.

He faced many challenges during his life but met them with a grace and strength which his family will continue to draw from as they adapt to the loss of their gentle, kind, and compassionate father, brother, and uncle.

The family would like to thank the wonderful people at Health Sciences North, especially the team in the ICU, for their admirable devotion to their patients and their families as well as for their compassion and care of us and our father during his stay. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Mark Dubé for his guidance and support.

Memorial Visitation in the
Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home
233 Larch Street, Sudbury
Friday, April 21st, 2017
Friends may call 2-5; 7-9pm.
Cremation at the Park Lawn Crematorium.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Northern Cancer Foundation would be appreciated.