Born in Lowell and raised in South Boston, he was the son of the late Thomas F. and Margaret V. (MacAleer) Ryan. Mr. Ryan proudly served his country in World War II, with the U.S. Army. He worked for Veterans Services for many years, retiring as Chief Authorizer in 1991, as well as the American Red Cross Blood Services from 1949-1988.
Mr. Ryan enjoyed singing and was a member of the Blue Hill Four Quartet for almost 50 years, performing throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada. He was a member of the Norwood American Legion.
Beloved husband of the late Lorraine M. (McCarty) Ryan; loving father of Michael J. Ryan and his wife Deborah of Wrentham, Kathleen R. Oates and her husband Robert of Canton, Robert G. Ryan and his wife Elizabeth of Canton and Stephen W. Ryan and his wife Theresa of Norwood; cherished grandfather of Jennifer Ryan, Kevin Ryan, Christopher Oates, Kelsey Oates, Nicole Ryan, Joseph Ryan, Kaitlin Ryan and Tessa Ryan; devoted brother of Paul Ryan of Rockland, Mary Drysdale of Weymouth, Grace “Janie” McGinnis of Hanson and the late Thomas Ryan and John Ryan.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 18th at 10:00am from the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street (Rte. 1A), Norwood, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 547 Washington Street, Norwood. Interment will follow the Mass in Highland Cemetery, Norwood. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday from 4:00 - 8:00pm at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions in memory of Walter J. Ryan may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.
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