Ryan, Jim
January 08, 2013Jim Ryan, 54 Dublin Street, Carlow, who passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday 12 December surrounded by his loving family, will be remembered by all who knew him as a real gentleman. His death marks the passing of one of Dublin Street's last residents.
Jim (84), a native of Killabban, Maganey, Co Laois, was a man who led a full and active life. However, over the past few years his health had declined. He suffered a broken hip in January of last year, which necessitated a spell in the rehab unit at the town's Sacred Heart Hospital.
One of a family of six children of John and Margaret (nee Quinn), Jim went to work at an early age with Nolan's Hardware of Athy and worked in another hardware store in the south Kildare town before emigrating to England. On 15 April 1952, he married Evy Jordan from Springhill, Carlow. They had met at a dance in Carlow and wed in England.
When they returned from England, Jim went to work as stores manager with Thomas Thompson steelworks at Hanover, Carlow. His working association with Thompson's was to last 36 years. Jim spent the last 11 years of his working life with local concern EPT Engineering and Power Tools, where he was also a storeman.
In all his places of employment, Jim Ryan was a greatly valued employee, noted for his honesty, integrity and the good humour he brought to bear on his work. He retired in August 1996.
A dedicated GAA man, Jim followed the fortunes of his native Laois throughout his life, savouring the victories of the O'Moore county, such as the 1986 NFL final triumph over Monaghan and the 2003 Leinster SFC final win over Kildare, when Laois were under the management of the legendary Mick O'Dwyer.
His daughter Majella Ni Riain recalls that the family travelled all over County Laois attending football matches throughout their childhood. Majella also mentioned the fact that the dancing boards at Rossmore was another favourite location for the Sunday dancing sessions there. Jim also followed Eire Og during their great run of success outside the county in the 1990s and would throw his support behind any Carlow team that was making waves in the GAA world.
He had lived at 54 Dublin Street for more than 60 years, being a highly respected individual in the street. Initially, he and Evy went to reside there with her aunt Annie McCaul, who was widow of a local tailor named Laurence McCaul. Jim was always noted as a very natty dresser throughout his life and his suits were custom-made by Johnson Tailors, Bridge Street, Tullow. Always well co-ordinated in terms of his attire, Jim never left home without ensuring that he had a handkerchief. An avid reader, Jim would read the daily newspaper and The Nationalist from cover to cover, always being interested in and up-to-date with world and local affairs. He loved listening to the radio and enjoyed watching sport on television.
He had a beautiful handwriting style and throughout his life wrote long, perfectly-scripted letters to his sister Mary Kelly in Buffalo, New York, informing her of family matters and the goings-on in the Carlow area. That continued up to Mary's death in November 2008. Jim attended Mary's funeral in America, along with daughter Majella and, even in his early 80s, had made trips abroad with family members. Although he did not have a garden, Jim always retained a keen interest in flowers, shrubs and the manner in which a garden bloomed.
Driving was something Jim greatly enjoyed. He drove a Morris Minor car when owning an automobile was something of a rarity and he continued to drive up to late in life. He owned a succession of Morris Minors before turning first to Opel and Mazda models. Walking was also a favourite pastime and one he indulged greatly after he could no longer get behind the wheel of a car.
A great devotee of the Irish language - although on his own admission he could not speak Irish - Jim imbued daughters Majella and Elaine with a great love of our native tongue and of Irish music. Both girls attended the Gaeltacht as part of their education. Reflecting that interest in the language, Majella is a highly regarded teacher in the all- Irish Gaelscoil Eoghan Ui
Thuarisc in Carlow.
A deeply religious man, Jim Ryan was a daily Mass-goer up to very recent times, when health problems prevented him from attending. He remained an active parish worker throughout his years in Carlow, collecting and counting at weekend Masses in the Cathedral of the Assumption, where he and Evy worshipped throughout their years living in Dublin Street. A man of prayer who was devoted to his Church, one would find a rosary beads in every coat pocket.
He enjoyed a social drink - the Royal Hotel was the Ryans' 'local' for many years. And since its demise, Jim would sup a pint in Ewing's or The Irishman's. In latter years, he would meet former Thompson's work colleagues Martin Doogue and Teddy Fennell for a drink and a chat.
Jim suffered a grievous loss with the death on 13 July 2002 of his beloved Evy. They had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in April of that year with a special Mass in the chapel
at St Patrick's College and a gathering of family, neighbours and friends.
Family meant everything to Jim - he had great love for his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family - and that love was reciprocated through the wonderful care lavished on him, particularly by daughters Majella and Elaine. Jim was waked at home before his removal to the Cathedral of the Assumption on Friday 14 December, where his remains were received by Fr John Cummins, Adm. Fr Cummins celebrated the funeral Mass on Saturday. The Prayers of the Faithful were recited by Jim's daughter Elaine Moore, son-in-law Moling Reddy,
grandchild Ciara Ni Mhordha and niece Kay Brennan, while the readings were by nieces Dympna McArdle and Catherine Coleman. The Offertory gifts were brought forward by grandchildren Ciara and Lee Moore. At the end of Mass, daughter Majella paid fitting tribute to the life of her father and thanked all those who had been such a great help to Jim. After Mass, Jim was laid to rest with wife Evy in Killeshin Cemetery, with Fr Cummins reciting the final prayers at the graveside.
Jim is survived by daughter Majella (Dublin Street) and Elaine (Tullow Road), sister Pattie Daly (Killeen, Maganey), grandchildren Ciara and Lee, sons-in-law Moling Reddy and Ken Moore, sisters-in-law Peg Ryan and Eileen O'Reilly (both Carlow), by nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, other relatives, good neighbours and many friends. Two of Jim's nephews - Bill and Steve Kelly - travelled from Buffalo to attend the funeral.
Jim was predeceased by brothers Willie and John Patrick and by sisters Ann O'Grady (Castlecomer) and Mary Kelly (Buffalo).
Courtesy of The Carlow Nationalist. Tweet
