Obituary of John F. Ryan, Jr.

John F. Ryan, Jr., a longtime resident of Ho-Ho-Kus, was called home to the Lord on January 18, 2018.

John was the son of John F. and Catherine Broderick Ryan. He was born and raised in Pittsfield, MA, along with his two sisters, Ann and Rosemary (Mary). He loved to share stories and fond memories of family, friends and growing up in his hometown in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, where he graduated from St. Joseph’s High School.

John met Elizabeth (Betty) Kenny of Glenford, NY on a blind date the final day of summer break before he returned to college to begin his junior year. A year later, they were married and started their new life together in Austin, TX, as he returned for his senior year at St. Edward’s University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a major in journalism. He and Betty maintained close friendships in Texas and returned to Austin a number of times, a city that he loved. Employment brought John and Betty back to the Northeast, living in New York State for a few years prior to settling in New Jersey. They raised their family in Ho-Ho-Kus, where they lived for more than 50 years.

John was a man of deep faith, an active parishioner of St. Luke’s R.C. Church and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5257. He worked in the wire and cable industry, first with Hudson Wire in Ossining, NY, then with ­­­­­­­­­­­­­International Wire in Midland Park and Cimco of Allendale. He established his own business as a manufacturer’s representative, Ryan Sales Company, and worked for many years prior to retirement.

John is predeceased by his parents, a sister Ann Piacenza, and his precious granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth (Meggie) Fernandez. He will be dearly missed by Betty, his wife of 66 years, six daughters and sons-in-law, and two sons and daughters-in-law: Terry Driggs (Tony), Colleen Donoghue (Michael), John (Evelyn), Kathleen Fernandez (Robert), Chris (Josie), Maureen Christian (Anthony), Eileen Rojas (Julio) and Sheilah Tamayo (David). He dearly loved his grandchildren: Philip Driggs (Meredith), Tara Driggs Hopfenspirger (Kurt), Christopher Donoghue, Kathryn Fernandez Brooks (Chris), Kiersten Fernandez, CJ Ryan (Virginia), Andy Ryan, Ryan Christian, Erin Rojas Roberts (Ryan), Julio C. Rojas, SSgt. USMC, Claire Tamayo, Michael Tamayo and David Tamayo. He found joy in his great-grandchildren: Christian Driggs, Savannah and Keira Roberts, Ames Ryan, Braden Hopfenspirger and Dominic Brooks. He also leaves behind his sister, Rosemary Lemieux, several nieces, a nephew and their families.

John particularly enjoyed travel; family reunions in Vermont, South Padre Island, TX, and Duck, NC; visits to Ireland; listening to Irish music and walking on the campus of St. Edward’s University.

Visitation will be at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com,  257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff NJ 07481, on Friday, January 26 from 4-8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 27 at St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church, 340 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423. Interment at St. Luke’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the “John F. Ryan ’52 Memorial Fund Honoring Catherine Broderick Ryan” at St. Edward’s University, 3001 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704 or online at www.stedwards.edu/giving.