Ryan, Ger
July 15, 2009The early hours of Monday morning June 22nd brought a somewhat sudden and premature ending to a life, the latter portion of which had been lived in the shadow of serious illness. Gerry Ryan (64), whose working life was spent with the P&T (now Eircom) was forced to retire at the young age of 53 back in 1998. No longer could his lungs preform their functions with their desirved and required energy. More recent years saw his total dependence on oxygen become more and more apparent, so much so that he was frequently hospitalised, always returning to his beloved Burke's Hill home after treatment with renewed vigour.
Alas, his latest visit to Tullamore was to be his last and it was there that he died in the presence of his wife Angela and their three children, Sarah, Kate and Barry, and his sister Lily (Selvin).
Originally from Moorpark Street, Gerry was only son of former Urban Council member and chairman Fred Ryan and his wife Kathleen. There he grew up with his sister Lily, attended the local PBS school before embarking on life's journey as a valued and committed employee of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
He hurled and those who would know felt he might have a bright future as a wielder of the caman. However, he didn't persevere. Nevertheless, his love for the game and particularly for the fortunes of his beloved Birr and Offaly never waned. Incidentally, back in 1923 his late uncle Willie Ryan lined out on the Offaly junior team that brought the county its first ever All-Ireland title defeating Cork in the final.
The Stage Guild and the Clancy Brothers ballad boom both brought his interest in music to the surface. He was active both on-stage and behind the scenes in early Stage Guild productions and the ballad group craze saw him align himself with some pals in the formation of singing groups. Social occasions over the years invariably included vocal contributions from him.
In the early 1970s Gerry teamed up with his late parents and a committed group of locals that achieved his father's life-long dream of providing a centre for senior citizens. The centre was constructed on the grounds of the district hospital, every stone, every block, every tile set in place by an enthusiastic team. Thereafter, the centre bcame a home from home for so many of the town's elderly, with entertainment provided, facilities for refreshments and an opportunity for people to meet, chat, play cards, bingo etc in convival surroundings. Gerry along with several others generously provided transport to convey these senior citizens to and from the weekly Thursday evening sessions for several years.
He was also a former member of the Parents Committee at the local Community School and helped out in fund raising activities.
Gerry's love for his native Birr was never better illustrated than when some of his many US based relatives returned to the Offaly town on holiday. Then, Gerry became a tour-guide of immense ability, his encyclopaedic knowledge of Birr and its surrounds providing the visitors with volumes of information to take back and ponder over.
When illness forced him to cease employment he continued to busy himself as much as his health would allow. There was his love for his garden and the pride he always took in looking after it; his move into the realm of cooking and his fascination with experimentation as various dishes emanated from his fast-growing culinary expertise. One thing he did miss was his inability to take to the bog and cut turf, a regular feature of life since his boyhood days accompanying his father.
The last five years or so weren't easy. The need to carry around a heavy oxygen container at all times; the extent of the breathlessness he was experiencing, all took their toll on his quality of life. But through it all there was never a complaint and a heavy bout of trying to catch his breath often ended with a rueful smile and a shake of the head as if to say "it's tough but we'll get there."
His good friend Fr Michael Reddan referred to that non complaining attitude when in his Funeral Mass homily he spoke of an occasion when he called to visit Gerry in his Burke's Hill home. Gerry, he said, had wires following him around leading from an oxygen tank to enable him to breathe. On arrival he asked Gerry how he was, to be met with a quick reply 'I'd be all right if you weren't walking on my lungs!" Fr Michael happened to be standing, unknowingly, on the wires as they trailed along the ground. The smile that resulted reflected Gerry's attitude to his illness and his ability to make light of it.
Gerry Ryan's remains resposed in Boyd's Funeral Home on Tuesday 23rd from where they were conveyed to St Brendan's Church and received by Fr Michael Reddan and Fr Pat Malone, PP Nenagh (a native of Moorpark Street and a Ryan family neighbour and friend). A Guard of Honour comprising many of Gerry's former P&T work colleagues also participated in the journey. Fr Reddan was celebrant of Wednesday's Funeral Mass assisted by Fr Tony Cahir PP. The church choir contributed so magnificently and so meaningfully to what was a celebration of Gerry's life, with former Moorpark Street next door neighbour Michael Campbell especially prominent in the singing of the Responsorial Psalm 'On Eagle's Wings'. Gerry's mortal remains were then laid to rest in Clonoghill cemetery.
Gerry is survived by his wife Angela (nee Hegarty), daughters Sarah and Kate, aunt Rita (Scully), brothers in law Gerry Slevin, Michael and Gerard Hegarty, sister in law Lena Dawson, nephew, nieces, cousins and extended family to all of whom deeprest sympathy is tendered in their sad loss.
Midland Tribune, 15th July 2009 Tweet
