James F. Ryan

Jim was born on January 10, 1933 in Bethel, CT, the son of the late Thomas K. Ryan and Marion (Lee) Ryan. He was very active in sports and loved the game of basketball which he played in school and in the church leagues. After graduating he became very involved with the Knights of Columbus where he would rise to the rank of 4th Degree Knight.

Jim was drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Korean War. After completing basic training Jim was shipped out to Korea just as the conflict ended. He was then tasked to serve in Japan as part of the United States Army Fire Department to support the country during its rebuilding process. He would later remark that he was given the choice of firefighter or mail delivery. He said it was a very easy decision and one that would become a career and passion for him.

When Jim returned he joined Beckerle Hose Company in Danbury to continue his interest in the fire service. Not long after his return he became engaged and married his sweetheart and love of his life Mary Anne (Smith). He began a career as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter with Sikorsky Aircraft in December of 1956 where he remained until his retirement in 1992 moving through the ranks to Liaison Lieutenant where he was tasked, in addition to his primary duties, to train and maintain Sikorsky’s internal fire brigade as well as local outside towns’ departments as well.

Upon Jim’s retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife Mary Anne and was able to spend more time enjoying their mutual love of camping, and also took up the game of golf which he also enjoyed for many years particularly with his brother Tom. His brother also introduced him to a great group of veterans at the Joseph Tarrant American Legion Post 100 back in Bethel, CT where Jim was a proud and active member and was happy to be able to spend time with his friends, and always enjoyed the camaraderie of the group. Jim had stories to tell and this was a great place to share them.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Anne Ryan, and his brother, Thomas L. Ryan and sister-in-law Dorothy Ellis Ryan.

He is survived by his sons James E. Ryan, Brendan P. Ryan and his wife Melanie L. Ryan, his sister-in-law Sharon Hoyt, and his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

The family would like to thank Danbury Hospital’s staff for the compassion they showed during their care for our dad, as well as their communication and empathy for our family members going through this very difficult time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at St. Peter’s Church, Danbury. Burial will be in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

Friends will be received from 4pm-7pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s honor and memory be made to the Joseph Tarrant American Legion Post 100, 7 Elizabeth St., Bethel, CT 06801.