Raymond Ryan Obituary

I miss you Father Bud. You were the anchor for our family.

When Father Bud came to St Albert's to officiate at Mom's funeral, he was greeted at the priory door by the pastor Father Joe Gillespie. Father Joe said "welcome to the home of unwed fathers".

Father Ryan was the father and friend I never had. Last year, I couldn't put into words my sadness and my regrets that I could not attend the final farewell. Now I am sure of how lucky and blessed all of us at Holland and Oconomowoc were to have him as our father. What he taught me and all of has guided my imperfect life. Lett us continue to celebrate his life.

RIP Father Ray. You were always there for us at Holland and Oconomowoc. You were the first one I turned to as I struggled with my decision to leave all these years ago and even agreed with me that a term of military service might be good for me. I will always remember the way you would clear your throat before speaking...It's often seemed that I heard that soft cough when times were troubled...I am grateful to have known and learned from you.

God rest your soul, Bud. You were a healing presence for all of us. Love,
Maza

Heartfelt and prayerful condolences from the Chicago Police Chaplains. At the request of Patrick Mahoney,
Fr. Ray will be remembered at our next Police Mass (Sunday, 27 MAY, 11:00 a.m., at Mercy Home - 1140 W. Jackson Blvd). In the meantime, may family and friends know the healing touch of Jesus Christ! [Police Chaplains Ministry: www.chicagoPCM.org or 312/738-7588]

Dear Father Ryan, I was deeply saddened to hear of the world losing a saintly man. You helped me so many times when I was at Tolentine in the 60's. When I made my decision to leave which was the hardest decision to arrive at with much prayer you helped me to be at peace. Because of your caring and understaning a number of years later I was called to the permanent diaconate. Thank you for being part of my life. God Bless You

Father Bud was the most genuine and kind person. I enjoyed our talks and his listening skills were supreme. He was always here in Minnesota when we needed him. I will miss him so much.

Ray Ryan gave me advice many years ago that went on to change my life. I never got to thank him for that. He was a great man with a wonderful sense of humor. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences go out to his family and his Augustinian brothers and sisters.

Fr Bud, my 2nd cousin, occasionally met with my late husband Rev Dennis McCarthy & me while we were in Milwaukee for Call to Action. He'd drive up or we'd go down to Racine. He sent me a Valentine the year Dennis died as he felt it was in place of Dennis sending me a Valentine. He con-celebrated @ my Mom's Funeral in 2008. He was always a phone call away when I needed to bare my soul. He is resting in peace. "Life is changed not ended".

I will miss you, Father Bud, with all my heart. You have been the center for our family for all of these years---always being there for each of us no matter what it was that we needed. I remember the day you were ordained. I remember your first Mass. I will never forget your love and kindness when you came to our house in Amery and held me while you blessed Ryan's garden. Thank you for spending that time with Jim and me. You will be missed by all of us. Please give Ryan and the family our love. You now are one more angel to watch over us. I love you, Father Bud.

Dearest Fr Ray Ryan:
Ray, you were father, brother, mentor and guide for me and so many others. Your loving influence has reigned so strongly in my life ever since we first encountered each other when I was in novitiate in your care in Oconomowoc. With your support I grew into the man I became. Your manner of support and guidance stands out as a model for being a loving presence in the lives of others. In you Christ reached out to me.
Perhaps your most poinant message to us in novitiate was the necessity of nurturing one's spiritual relationship with Christ. "Without this," you would say, "you can't make it." I can see here, you were offering us the secret of your own life. Your faith in a loving and caring God transformed you and grounded you in the tough times.
I am a better person for having had you in my life. You have left the world better than you found it. What greater thing can be said of a man. I will carry the mark of your influence and will love you always. Thank you for being You.

Father,
I thought I would take this opportunity to say thank you again for the very last time. As you can see from the outpouring of sentiment here, you touched the lives of so many over the years. For those of us who were seminarians, you were a guiding light in the growth of our faith as well as a stellar example of a truly loving human being. As the years passed, I know it was important to you to be part of our lives again. In fact, your presence, your humor, your wisdom was really your gift to us.

You always asked me to pray for you. Now Ray, I am asking that you pray for us.

Thank you, Father Ryan. I recognized you were an angel on earth 18 years ago when you walked into a war zone, held me and my moms hands and comforted us in our sorrow. The hateful words and angered voices of others did not scare you away. When you touched my hand, I felt God's Presence. A couple of years ago, I saw you get on an elevator, and my heart leapt; I couldn't place how I knew you, until recently. You are a wonderful Servant of God who had truly earned his wings. Thank You so very much.

Father Ryan,

For many of us, you were the guy who helped us become the men we are today. You certainly had a profound and enduring influence on me. I am both honored and grateful to have known you.

May Our Lord reward you richly in heaven. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Kevin Burns, St. Augustine---Class of '69

Fr Ray was my novice master in 2006/7. I was in the last group that he was responsible for. Ray left a deep impact on me. He was indeed the most kind, caring, generous, funny, prayerful, sensitve and deep person that I have met. He was a great example of what it means to be not only an Augustinian but a real Christian. On April 26 2012 I will be ordained a priest for the Irish Augustinians largely dure to the formation, advice and example I got from Fr Ray. May his soul and the soul of all our faithful departed rest in peace.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

To the family and friends of Fr. Ryan... May God hold you close to His heart during this difficult time. You will all be in my prayers.

I was at St. Augustine's in Holland when Ray was elected Prior Provincial. And as a Benedictine in the Joliet Diocese, it was good to see him at diocesan functions. God rest this wonderful and gentle soul.

Rev. Thomas B. Franks, O.S.B.
St. Procopius Abbey
Lisle, IL

"I first met Fr. Ray Ryan when he would say Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Joliet. I would always look forward to having Father come down the aisle ... I could be assured of a solid homily ... and a prayerful Liturgy. He will be remembered by me as a priest who had a good relationship with his God. Sister Yvonne Weidner,OSF

I met Fr. Ray aka Uncle Bud many many years ago at the home of my friends his nephew and niece Chuck and Erin Beck. He was a wonderful man and always seemed to make you smile and laugh. I remember visiting him at Holy Name Cathedral and going to lunch at Drury Lane, taking carriage rides and seeing the water tower and even catching a movie now and then. I remember that dark green car he used to sport us all around in. Many more wonderful memories I have of Uncle Bud that I will always cherish. Heaven has a new Angel now and I know he will be watching over everyone that has come to know and love him. May he and our Lord watch over the Beck and Ryan family today and always. God bless and love to them all. Sincerely,Dawn Krueger Edwards

Uncle Bud,
I cannot put into words how much you mean to me. You taught me how to treat people with kindness no matter what the circumstances may have been. You were the light for our family during the darkest times--there was nothing that we could not get through together. You supported me and were proud of me no matter what life handed me, you never passed judgement on me or for that fact anyone. You were the most loving and spiritual person that God could have ever given us. God gave us a gift by letting us have you for 81 years. Now it is His time to have his gift back. You will always be my special angel and in my heart forever. I love you. Erin.

Dear Family of Father Ray: What a special and holy man. I met him at the retreat from Providence in Michigan. He was called by our Lord at this very holy time of Easter. Rest in peace sweet man; you are at God's right hand.
Peace and prayers.

Many have been blessed by your service to the church and your friendship. You will be missed.

Met him as the Master of Postulants when I was 14. Said our Wedding Mass 38 years ago. Never once disappointed me, my family or any of my friends that knew him. Fr. Ray was one very holy man. It was indeed a privilege for my family to know him and be considered among his many friends.

Bill and Bonnie Small Scottsdale Az.

He was a good and holy man and gave a quality of presence to all. His compassion is what I admired. He was a true Augustinian with a restless heart for God.

To a truly holy man, who influenced my life with his humor, kindness and gentle demeanor. I feel honored to have known you Fr. Ryan. May you rest in peace.

Father Ryan had some of the most profoundly thoughtful homilies and insights into life coming from a man who understood the love of Christ. He made the Gospel come alive like few I knew.

My Grandmother and Aunt claimed you as their "favorite Augustinian" I knew you as the nice man who always came and said hello to us at Providence. I still remember when my Grandmother died, you came and officiated her funeral. It was my job along with my other cousins to bring up the gifts...the song playing was "Ave Maria" I was having such a hard time. When I got up to the front and handed the gifts to you, you took my hand and squeezed it and gave me such a genuine, sweet smile. Thank you for that and for everything that you have done for our family. You will be missed.
Sincerely,
Kelly Brennan-Lesniak
(daughter of Joe Brennan)

Rest in peace, Ray. You have touched so many of us in ways that still influence our lives. You are a model for many. I am blessed to have known you.

Father Bud...ever since I was a little boy, I can remember looking forward to your visits out to Little Rock Lake for some refreshing time of rest and relaxation. You always had a glad and cheerful heart...always an uplifting word...always a positive outlook, no matter the situation. We love you and will miss you dearly...but you're the lucky dog that made it to the party in heaven first, so I am somewhat envious! Enjoy your time with our Heavenly Father and I'll look forward to seeing you again! (Jeff, Tracy, Belle & Greta Pappenfus)

We will miss your smile and wry sense of humor.

Fr. Ryan was truly a holy man. We have good memories of his time at St. Patrick's in Joliet but especially when he was looking for the perfect gift for his nieces and nephews at our annual craft show. We are better for having known Fr. Ryan.

We were often at odds with our points of view. Oh how I remember hearing "It's time to get a haircut." But I never doubted his sincerity or his amazing intellect. Ray, you were an integral part of my spiritual formation. Thanks for being there.

I will miss you, Father Ray. Although we only knew each other for 3 years, you made a huge impact on my life. Your humor, intelligence, and understanding meant the world to me.
Love,
Cindy Vernon

I will miss that smile and soft voice, but will always cherish my years in the seminary with his gentle hand guiding us and the lifelong friendship that grew from them.