10/04/2022
Ryan’s Contracting Ltd. & Ryan’s Transport lost a great man on September 22, 2022 - We lost the cornerstone of our business and our family. We are still grieving but have returned back to work, as he would want us to.
Richard William Ryan (Dick), 79 years old, of Trepassey, NL, passed away suddenly on Sept 22, 2022. He had health challenges over the last 3 years and was a bilateral amputee, but was experiencing great health since his amputation, he loved life and died as he lived, on the highway.
Richard was born on July 10, 1943 to Denis and Catherine Ryan in Trepassey. He earned his Grade 11 and then started trucking as a young man. He had a love for trucks and an aptitude for maintaining them, with his years of practical experience he successfully challenged the Mechanic examination at the College of Trades and Technology and earned a Provincial and Interprovincial Heavy Duty Equipment Certificate in 1980.
Richard was a proud and honourable businessman who believed in a gentleman’s handshake. He had 3 companies that provided employment to many people over the years, however trucks were always his passion and he was most proud of Ryan’s Contracting & Transport and the reputation he earned and the legacy he passed onto his family. Richard continued to drive a tractor trailer until the age of 75 years old. He was also a Mechanic with the Dept. of Highways in the 1980’s and he would operate his own construction equipment after hours; he had a work ethic and passion for work that is unparalleled.
In 1966 he married the love of his life, Joan (nee Critch) Ryan, they immediately started their family of 4 children, Louis, Elaine, Rick and Darren.
Richard was a force of nature, with that entrepreneurial spirit he was determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they richly deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he proudly mentioned often. He was unendingly proud of Lou for his ability to operate equipment, Elaine for her business mind, Rick for his dedication to his beloved trucks and Darren was his baby who followed him everywhere, a loss he never got over. He strived to keep Darren’s memory alive and he always tried his best to be the best provider to his family. Joan was the love of his life and he looked at her with such devotion, she stood by his side through ups and downs and supported him by raising his family, supporting him in his business endeavors and taking care of him right up until his final day. She was his everything, they faced everything head on together and she kept him laughing every day, they were each others rock.
Richard was also passionate about a game of cards and looked forward to playing with his card group, all of whom he thought the world of.
Anyone who knew Richard knew that he was the most loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather a family could ask for. Richard was predeceased by his son Darren in 1981 at the age of 9 years old; his parents Denis and Catherine, father and mothers-in-law Stephen, Hannah and Ita Critch; brothers Louis, Tom, John and Paschal; brothers-in-law Russell, Kenneth, Brian, Lawrence (Diane); sisters-in-law Kathleen, Monnie (Phonse), Marg (France), a number of nieces and nephews; and his best friend Bill Moores. Leaving to mourn the love of his life and center of his world, his wife of 56 years Joan, his children: Lou (Peg), Elaine (Bruce Brophy), and Rick; his grandchildren: Stephen (Stephanie), Adam (Stephanie), Kaitlyn (Joe), Chris, Ryann Brophy (Noelle), Kathryn Brophy and Tyler; his great grandchildren and his pride and joy Nathan Richard, Benjamin, Phoebe and Reed; brother Cyril, sister Rita,sisters-in-law Marg, Mary, and Dianne; Joan’s siblings Stephen (Theresa), Eugene (Patsy), Ralph (Madonna), Anita (Harold), Betty (Eugene), Irene, Bernadette, Susan (Paul), Colleen and the O’Connell’s, a large circle of friends, especially Ed Yetman, Derm Coombs, Ed Corrigan and Gerard Kennedy who he looked forward to hearing from daily, and his nephews and nieces who he adored and who showed him so much love.
There will be a visitation and funeral service in Trepassey,followed by a cremation, refer to www.faheysfuneralhomes.com for details.
Special thanks to the staff at NA Clinic, especially Lorna Lawlor his special nurse, Allison Keay NP and Dr. Tom McGarry; Dr. Paul Heneghan, Kara Ryan, NP and all the staff of 5 East; dialysis staff of 5 West St. Clare’s and Mount Pearl Square, Dr. Bryan Curtis for his excellent care over the years, Ryan’s Ambulance Service & all paramedics for their care and professionalism. Thank you to Quality Homecare Services, especially his care givers Cheryl White who he thought of as family, Marguerite Cave and Gary McNeil who showed such compassion; and Fr. Peter Golden for his friendship and the pastoral care he provided.
“The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind”
