Thomas Joseph Ryan Jr.
Thomas Joseph Ryan Jr., 87, of Cape Coral, formerly of Hamden, Conn., and Montauk, N.Y., passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 7, 1921, in New Haven, Conn., to Thomas Joseph Ryan and Kathleen Foley Ryan.
He attended Loomis, Class of 1939, and Yale University, Class of 1943.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served as a medic in the U.S. Army.
He was employed by The Lawyers’ Cooperative Publishing Company, where he received several presidents’ awards. Upon retiring in 1987, he moved to Cape Coral.
He enjoyed attending Yale football games and could be found with the “Portal 27 Gang” during each home game for more than 40 years. He was a gifted storyteller who regularly entertained his girls along with the neighborhood children with stories featuring all in attendance.
He loved music, especially singing with family and friends. He had been a member of the Loomis Glee Club. During summers he could be found surf-casting along the beautiful ocean beaches of Montauk, N.Y.
He was a member of the B.P.O. Elk’s Lodge 2596 and the American Legion Post 90, both of Cape Coral.
He was married for 63 years to the love of his life, Edythe Wright Ryan. Edythe predeceased him in September.
He is survived by his daughters, Sheila (Peter) Wilkinson, Wendy (Chip) Duryea, Cheryl Ryan and Jacqueline Ryan. He was beloved “TJ” to his grandchildren, Peter (Michelle) and Matthew (Jessica) Wilkinson, Amy (Travis) Duryea-Kelly and Erica Duryea (fianc Eoin Cunningham), Ryan Wright, Jamie and Lindsay Butler, Ricky and Zachary Volo and Paige Ryan; and celebrated the birth of his first great-grandchild, Christian Duryea-Kelly.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 10 a.m. at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, 1630 S.W. Pine Island Road, with entombment to follow with military honors provided by the VFW Post 8463.
Arrangements by Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery.