George T. Ryan

George T. Ryan, of Milton, was born December 18, 1921, and passed away on January 6, 2021, on the traditional date of the Epiphany, finding the heavenly Jerusalem. 

Born at St. Margaret's Hospital in Dorchester, George was the son of John and  Rose (Dehan) Ryan, and was baptized soon after birth at St. John's Church in Roxbury. He was latter confirmed at St. Matthew's in  Dorchester, and was a dedicated Catholic throughout his 99 years.

He is pre-deceased by his siblings - Rosemary Lucia, John Ryan and Eleanor Ryan. He graduated from Boston College High School in 1940, attended Bentley College and served in the US Army through WWII. 

Directly after V-J Day, on a few days leave before transfer to Japan, George married Mary (Mae) Roper of Dorchester, at St. Gregory's, Dorchester.  They lived that sacrament for 75 years, and had six children (two entered heaven at birth).

His wife Mary lives in Milton, at their home of 60 years. They also enjoyed a second home in Eastham for 52 years

His children, G. Thomas lives in Eastham; Kathleen with her husband, Lawrence Lavery live in Milton; Edward with his wife Margaret Gorham live in Canton; Mary with her husband Joseph Rizzo live in Milton. He leaves three beloved grandsons - Michael Ryan with wife Erika and their children Daisy and Thomas live in Silver Spring, MD; Christopher Ryan, with wife Kelly and son, Camden live in Norton, MA; Patrick Ryan lives in Danbury, CT. 

After George's discharge from the Service, he was an accountant at Mass Motors and then Waltham Watch Company, while earning his BA and MBA at Northeastern University. He became a financial executive for Raytheon, established and directed its division at Shannon Airport, Ireland for three years, and traveled constantly to every continent but Antarctica. 

George joined Thompson Steel Company in 1966 and in 1974 purchased the Company. He led it through 33 years expansion, before selling it to his children and retiring at 85.

In his industry, he was a member of the Financial Executives Institute, serving as president of the Boston Chapter for a year. He was president of Cold Rolled Strip Steel Association. He was a member of the Algonquin Club of Boston, The Boston College Club, and the Milton Hoosic Club. 

For Milton, he was an elected town meeting member for forty years; he served on the Warrant Committee for five years, chairing it for two years.

In the same breath as being a loving husband and parent, George loved serving his Church. He was baptismal godfather for nephew Richard Roper; and for cousins Richard and William Reardon; confirmation sponsor for grandson Michael Ryan. 

In St. Agatha Parish, he was a lector for 35 years, Ecumenically, he led Morality in Media for over 15 years. For the Archdiocese of Boston he was on the Boards of Directors for  Urban Affairs, for St. Elizabeth Hospital, and for St. John of God Hospice. He was chair of the Finance Committee of the Caritas Christi Hospital System. 

For the Vatican, he was invested in 1982 by St. John Paul !! in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre (a papal order serving the Holy Land, especially the schools). He became Lieutenant of the Northeastern Lieutenancy.

 In 2000 he became Vice- Governor General of the order, coordinating activities of the western hemisphere. For this work, which meant so much to George, he tirelessly worked for the Palestinians and their Catholic Schools, whose students are Muslim, Greek Orthodox and Catholic. He often needed to be in Rome and Jerusalem, and brought sound financial advice to the Cardinals, to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and to political leaders in Palestine - all for the peace of Jerusalem.

Now, we pray that he is welcomed into the New and Eternal Jerusalem, his dream and his life's hope.

The family wishes to thank the medical professionals, home care givers, VNA, and hospice workers who cared for George in his final months.

In his memory, please consider donating to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (www.cnewa.org/donate/), or to the charity of your choice. And Please pray for all suffering in this heartbreaking time of pandemic. 

Due to this COVID - 19, a Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal is being celebrated with his immediate family only.  After all are able to gather as a community, the family will schedule a public Memorial Service for all relatives, friends, colleagues, and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.