James Ryan Obituary

Maureen, Matthew and Catherine,
I was just reading through the guest book and I had to smile when I saw the last entry referring to J. Sterling Mortimer! Those law school stories were so funny. I often think Grandpa got the biggest kick out of his best friend razzing Jimmy.

I know Jimmy is proud of all of you for handling his passing with the strength, grace and class that you displayed.

I love you all so much and I am looking forward to seeing you this summer in Michigan! The cottage becomes more and more special to me as the years go by. It represents family and it is comforting to be there reminiscing, sharing good times and watching our family grow.

While it won't be the same without hearing him say "Hel la," I know that he and all of our beloved family members who have passed before us will live on in our memory and keep a watchful eye over us.
Love you!

To the Ryan family:
My deepest condolences to you. I can still recall our Contract Law professor, frequently calling on Jim, bellowing out "Mr. Ryan, would you brief the case of....."
Jim was a great man. Take comfort knowing he touched many lives and will remain within their hearts.

Dear Ryan Family,
I graduated with Jim from Milton College in 1973. I met him in my Spanish classes and enjoyed his quick wit and humorous comebacks. What a character. I could never stop laughing around him and he did get me in trouble a couple of times with our professor. The last time I saw Jim was when another Milton graduate and I attended Danny's funeral so many years ago. I have thought about many of my former classmates over the years and wondered what they have been doing. Milton College would be proud of Jim as he accomplished so much in a life that he left too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Diana K. (Blaser) Shadel

Jim will be missed!
Mom (Margaret Ann), we are here for you! Try to remember the good times - you were first and foremost in Jim's life, and you guys had many good times together over the years. You have so many friends that care, and a family that loves you.

Matt and Catherine, your dad was a very special person. He was more of a father to me than my own dad, and I will miss him much. Carry on his legacy - your dad would want you to be as generous and benevolent as he was.

Dear Margaret,
The loss of your soulmate is felt by us all,and we will be here to help you heal. You and Jim are an integral part of our social community, and the many, many visitors that came to the wake to offer their condolences to you and Jim's children are proof of that. Jim loved you very much, and we will continue to take care of you like Jim would want us to. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you! God bless.

Dear Matthew and Catherine,
My heart aches for you both. To have to go through this, especially at such a young age. We loved your father very much. Love, Jenny

To my Mom, Margaret Kahr,
Charlie, Jonathan, Nathan, Shane and I loved Jim so much! I'm so glad we got to spend the last 6 or so years getting to know him. He became such a big part of our family; spending the holidays with us, the kids birthdays with us, you name it! He will be so sorely missed, especially at these special family gatherings. We all felt blessed that our Mother met such a kind, wonderful man that would treat her so well. The love you had for each other is to be admired! He left us too suddenly, and way too soon. We all thought we had many more years to spend with the both of you together. We are all here to help you in your grief. We love you so much, Mom! Love, your daughter, Jenny

Maureen, I was so shocked to learn that your Jim passed away. I am so truly sorry. I will pray for you and your family everyday for God's strength to carry you thru this most difficult time.

Dear Ryan Family
I knew Jim as a fraternity brother at Milton College WI. around 1970. My wife Pam was from the Roseland area, and she and Jim would talk "high school" memories at our gatherings.He was a great guy and I'm sorry we had not kept in touch over these many years. Our deepest sympathy to the family over this great loss.
Phil and Pam Umnus

From our teen years onward, we looked forward to seeing your great smile and that twinkle in your eye each summer in Michigan. Such fond memories! You will be missed.
Our deepest sympathy to the family.

My deepeest sympathy and prayers go out to the entire Ryan Family. Ellen and I were on vacation and I just heard the tragic news. Jimmy was a great guy and I will miss him. My best to Maureen and the children and I am terribly sorry we missed the funeral.

To the Family of Judge Ryan,
Our prayers are with you.

To Maureen, Matt and Catherine,
We were so saddened to hear about the Judge Ryan's passing. Please know that we're praying for you and your family and we're here for you anytime.

The Sullivans on Seeley,
Jim, Phyllis, Burke, Matt and Monica

Cousin Jim, You sure touched a lot of lives ...the Mass was beautiful and Aunt Bette Ryan sang the high notes for you...You would be so proud of Matthew and Catherine...Maureen tried to hold all together..John, Larry and there families ,cousins,Ryans,Hostys,Biganes,Bennetts,we will all miss your twinkling smile--Say Hi to all the rest of the clan up in heaven... Love,cousin Marcy & Aunt Bette Ryan

Matt and Catherine,
My deepest sympathies to you and your mother at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thanks for the memories. Sailing with Maureen, Matt and Catherine in Chicago and Holland, sneaking cigarettes, golf with a "hole in one" player, waiting for the relief column to come over the bridge to traffic court, St Patrick Days, the Commodore will miss his big smile and warm heart.

My deepest sympathy Maureen, Matt,and Catherine. I am a long time friend of the Brices, and remember your dad very well. He was always so proud of his family. Matt and Catherine were the apples of his Irish eyes.
Bless all of you

Mo, Matthew and Catherine,
Michigan will certianly not be the same without the morning greetings of "hey neighbor" or "how ya doin cuz", as he sat in the cirlce of chairs outside of the house. He will truly be missed and will forever remain in my fondest memories of michigan. You are in my prayers.

Maureen, Catherine, Matthew and Marge,
His "Lordship" truly had a zest for life, a embracing smile, and a litany of one-liners. In chambers, especially on Mondays, he shared his experiences with his beloved children. As we listened to him counting off the "hondos" we all knew one thing: he loved you both so very much. I hope someday he has us all over to his new cottage up above for a whack. Loved you Judge, Squire

I was shocked & saddened by the news. God Bless you Maureen, Matthew& Catherine. Don't despair, He'll always be with you. My deepest sympathy.

Dear Maureen and children,
My deepest sympathies to all of you at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless.

We were shocked and saddened to read of Jim's death. Our sympathy to all of the family. May God's love and peace be with you.

Our deepest sympathy to the Ryan family. Judge Ryan was a dear friend to our police department and will surely be missed by all. God bless Judge Ryan and his family during this very sad time.

To the family of James, and on behalf of the Mendel alumni association, please accept our deepest sympathies on your loss as another Mendel Monarch (class of '69) takes his place among those who have gone before us. Our prayers are with you.

Jimmy, all your classmates from the Class of 1965 at St. Barnabas will miss you greatly. You were quite a character. Our condolences to your family. Rest in peace. Say hi to Brian Sullivan for all of us.

My Deepest sympathy to The Family, and Jimmy's many Friends.

When I heard the sad news of his passing, I couldn't help but think back to all the Great memories of Jimmy, and The whole Ryan Family.
He had a Million Watt Smile,and it was hard not to have fun around Him.

His Spirit, and All The Great Memories will live on.

Ed J.

Dear Catherine and Matt,
Even though I only met your dad once, I could tell he was a great guy. I went over to his house with you guys and he was hilarious, telling his jokes and stories, wlecoming us all in. I am so sorry I cannot be with you during this time, you will continue to be in my prayers. I am thinking of you both.
Love,
Rachel

Jimmy was a great guy. I remember him as a childhood friend. Our families went to Ridge C.C. for Sunday dinners, celebrated Christmas Eves at the Ryan home, saw the Kim Sisters, loved Michigan and Jim and my husband John played football at Mendal. Jim was a great guy! Jimmy, you left too soon. I send love to all of the Ryan Family.

Jimmy Ryan had an incredible smile and was perhaps my most handsome cousin. He was definitely taken too soon. My husband and I send our love and sympathy to all of you. May all the happy memories sustain you in this most difficult time.

Bless your wondeful heart our good friend,we have and will always miss your wonderful smile. Love, Nadine amd Tom Bennett

Our deepest sympathy to the entire Ryan family. Jimmy was such a special person,he embodied the Ryan warmth of personality and capacity for making everyone feel welcome.We will always treasure the beautiful memories and his infectious smile. He loved the Christmas parties, red plaid pants and all! We will miss "Zoom", but never forget him. He will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Love, The Hogan Family
John, Debbie and Mary

maureen i was very sorry to learn that jim passed away my deepest sympathy to you and matthew and catherine. if you don't remember me i worked for judge kanter and judge knell.
arlene singer-bernstein

Matt and Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Michigan won't be the same without Jimmy.

My prayers to all of you.

Maureen, Matthew and Catherine-my heart goes out to you. Jimmy was an amazing guy and I will always think of him fondly. He was an abiding presence in Michigan; from the time I was 12 until the time I was 38. In recent years, as I made the walk down to the beach, I'd greet him with "...how's it going your honor". He was just always there, every summer, with a smile. He will be missed on those shores and everywhere else he left his mark.

To the entire Ryan Family,
My most sincere condolences. Jimmy was like family over these many years, as are all of you. I regret not being there in person.

Fondly,

Dear Maureen

My deepest condolensces to you and your children. I am sure this has been a very difficult time. My sympathies. Judge Helaine Berger

To the Ryan family: I pray for comfort and God's Love for each of you during this time. Look at it as a time of reflection on wonderful times and many more blessings to come.

Mr. Ryan was a great man. He had a smile that would light up a room and always had the ability to make me smile as well. He was a caring man who loved his children and was a friend to many including myself. he will be missed but never forgotten.

The Fighting Fifth won't be the same. A great judge and even a better friend. All of us will miss you greatly.

My deepest sympathies to the Ryan Family. Rest in peace Judge Ryan, you have left an indelible mark on the 5th District and will be sorely missed.

so sorry to hear about your love one i am a janitor at the court house i knew you dad for a long time he was a great guy he will be miss i could not believe when i came in to work today and they said he was gone.he was a very nice guy to me and we will all miss him are pray and love is with all of you....

To Marge and the children,
I am sending you my deepest condolences as I am completely heartbroken over the news of Judge Ryan's passing. I had the honor, over the years, to have been assigned on numerous occasions to his courtroom as an assistant state's attorney and I will never forget the fun memories both in and out of the courtroom. A truly great person has been lost and it was an honor to have known him.

To Marge, and the Ryan Family... Please accept my deepest sympathy for the untimely passing of Jim. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time.

Doing homework together after school in 3rd and 4th grade, you stealing my books out of my desk when I was standing answering a question during class, walking home to your house with you after school and you denying we were cousins, summers in Michigan, playing on the bluff, going to the Beverly Theatre and thinking it was cool to sit through a second viewing of Gidget with Sandra Dee at the Beverly Theatre until your Dad came lumbering down the aisle and pulling us up by the collars on our shirts, long talks when we had parent issues that most didn't know about... Many memories, Jimmy. You were loved and will be missed and cherished. Gigi

"Hononable",
You were definitely one of the great ones and will be missed immensely! You were a true friend.

"Miguel"

The loss of a parent is so painful, my prayers are with you during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed. I know there will be a lovely reunion with the family above and another Ryan to watch over you all.

Jimmy will live in my memory forever - he is as much a part of Michigan as the beach. My heart goes out to Mathew, Catherine & the rest of the Ryan family.

Jill and I can't begin to express what we felt upon hearing of Jimmy's passing. When we think of him, it brings back great memories which will remain with us forever; our time together at the City, great times "out on the town", trips to Michigan, New York, and Las Vegas, and an unforgettable vacation together in Italy. To put it simply, he was a truly good person and a great friend. He will be sorely missed, but we will think of him often and with the highest regard. He was one of a kind, one who greatly enriched our own lives for having known him.

"Hey Sports Fans!"
Always remembered.
Love,
Dano

Marge and children:
Your Father will be missed. He is a great man with big heart and a kind soul.
Ria

To the Ryan Family please accept my deepest sympathy He was a great person . We'll keep you in our prayers.
John Galvin, Chicago