William H. Ryder III

William Henry Ryder III, 60, of Toms River, passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin. Born in New Bedford, MA, he grew up and lived in Fairhaven, MA where he attended Anthony Grade School, Fairhaven Jr. High School and Fairhaven High School graduating in 1971. He proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force in 03 December 1971, served in Taipei, Taiwan in the Security Police, and is a Vietnam War Era Veteran. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1975. William was a member of American Legion Post 346 in Neptune. He was also a member of the Lacey Moose Lodge 1097 in Forked River

He attended Bristol Community College in Fall River, MA receiving a double degree: A.A. in Electrical Engineering and A.S. in Mathematics (both with honors) in 1985. After graduation Bill prepared for a career in the field of Telephony (telecommunications), Burglar and Fire Alarm systems. He moved to Toms River in 1994, worked in the Security field for over 25 years, held the NJ Fire Alarm License, NJ Burglar Alarm License, and was N.I.C.E.T. certified. He was employed at Star Installations as an expert in Alarm installations. He trained new hires for the company and was considered a highly skilled trainer. He was well liked and respected by his co-workers and supervisors.

Bill’s passions were: Children, Animals (especially dogs), Billiards, Photography and Music. He spent countless hours in the company of children in the neighborhood, bringing them to the river and for nature walks and the ocean, engaged them in fishing, taught them card games, and showed them card tricks. His favorite place to go was an estuary off of Hanes and Cedar Roads where he would take Kevin, Vivian and Tyler and the dogs Emma, Toby and Lovey to walk the trails and wade in the Toms River. Bill’s dogs were a privileged bunch of canines that he spoiled with love and affection. He loved to take photos of anything that caught his eye and he had a discerning eye for the unusual and for the natural beauty that surrounded him. He shared his passion for music with his wife Geri. He supported and encouraged her love of music as well. He was the catalyst for the production of a cd of original songs written by his wife and local musicians Bruce Foster, John Andaloro and John Mulrenan. His greatest passion however, was billiards. It began as a young child in the basement of the family home where his father (Bill ) built a billiard table so that he and his son Billy could play. He retained that passion throughout his adult life and even shot a few balls on the day he died. He was a member of the American Pool Players Association and played on many tournaments in the region. Bill shared his mother Edith’s smile and compassionate nature.

Bill was a kind and loving individual who willing helped many people whom he met both in his professional and private life. He was always willing to lend a hand without being asked to do so. He was a man of integrity, forthrightness, and made people laugh (such was his personality). He had a ready smile, liked to tell jokes and loved to socialize. He adored his wife and was a loving, compassionate partner, concerned for her well-being and happiness at all times. He was a loving father to her son Gary and brought him on camping trips and other excursions, also supporting him throughout his life’s endeavors. Bill enjoyed family and would try to visit his family as often as he could. He was always at the family reunions in Fairhaven, MA, always remembering to bring a deck of playing cards and yes, his dogs. He had very fond memories of Fairhaven and its community, loving to tell its history to family and friends. He would give an escorted tour of the major landmarks of Fairhaven that began in his own backyard on Hedge Street along the Acushnet River and ended at Fort Pheonix, an old Revolutionary fort. He delighted in telling the history of this quaint fishing town.

He was predeceased by his father William Henry Ryder, II. Surviving are his devoted and beloved wife of 30 years Geraldine “Geri”( Massa) Ryder; his loving mother Edith (Holt) Ryder; his step-son Gary Matthew Corvelo; three sisters Judith Ryder Duffy, Susan Osborn and Debra Ann Jarman; two granddaughters Kiara and Soleil Corvelo; nieces: Susan Jill Duffy Scott, Joseph Scott Duffy, Ryan Blanchard and Mathew Jarman; grandnephews: Conner and Cooper Duffy, Ryan and Ryder Scott and grandniece: Ruby Scott and by his aunts and uncles: Doris Hutchins, George Hold Elizabeth Palm John Warburton Holt and Norma Ryder.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 19, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven, MA. Cremation was private and under the direction of Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home in Toms River.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the POPCORN PARK ZOO Humane Way at Lacey Rd

P.O. Box 43, Forked River, NJ 08731 in memory of William.