- Date Of Birth: January 19, 1928
- Date Of Death: December 6, 2011
- State: Connecticut
John Edward Ryan, 83, of Farmington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 6, 2011. He was the husband of Joan (Surprenant) Ryan and together they shared 33 years of marriage. Born on January 19, 1928, in Schaghticoke, New York, he was the son of the late Peter J. and Helen (O’Brien) Ryan.
John is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego. He has a Masters in Business Administration. He participated in the General Electric Management Training Program and spent ten years with that firm in International Marketing. He spent many years representing the company throughout the United States, Europe and Asia; with the firm’s (then new); small aircraft engine business. He was employed internationally by United Aircraft Corp., in world-wide marketing of Sikorsky Helicopters. He served as Director of helicopter flight operations for the 1943-44 New York World’s Fair.
He spent many years as an entrepreneurial consultant in Washington, D.C. as a technical administrator, representing the aviation industry in both fixed-wing and rotary operations. John served the Reagan Administration: in the campaign, as a fund raiser, as director of ticketing operations in it’s 1981 Inaugural, and during the transition of government; in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. He was appointed to NASA’s public affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C.
He concluded his active business career with the Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. in Syracuse, New York as a Nuclear power plant construction auditor. He retired initially to New Holland, PA and spent several entrepreneurial years in the ground transportation business as well as acting as a business and legal advocate for the Amish.
A former member of Rotary Club International, Elks, Lions, Air Force Association, Quiet Birdmen, Aviation Writers Association and Knight’s of Columbus. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion since WWII.
In 2009, he and his wife, Joan, retired to Farmington, CT to be nearer family and friends.
He will be dearly missed by his wife Joan along with his daughters Jan Ryan-Roche and her husband Kevin of Farmington and Deborah Ryan of Shelton; his step-children Debra (Lutz) Bacon and her husband Jim of Cropseyville, NY and John Lutz and his wife Flo of Mead, CO; his grandchildren Kaitlyn Roche, Ryan Roche, Nicole Sutyak and Jason Sutyak; his step-grandchildren Tyler Bacon, Taylor Bacon, Travis Lutz and Kelsey Lutz; his brother Vincent Ryan and his wife Gloria of Kennebunkport, ME; his sister Marie Popp of Quincy, MA; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
