James J. Ryan

To view the service for James Ryan on April 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.,

please click the following link: 

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcxMzEwOTgyNDMwNDYyMiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of James (Jim) J. Ryan on April 4th, 2024, at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s, surrounded by his caring family. He leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories his devoted wife of 64 years, Shirley and his five children, Karen, Jim, Gail, Lynette (Gian Paulo) and Ken (Sabrina), twelve beautiful grandchildren, Emma, Michael, Maggie, Madeleine, Thomas, Sophie, Elizabeth, Rachel, Ronan, Ciara, Patrick and Nicholas, brothers Gerald, William (Ruby) and David (Nettie), sisters, Joan (Clair) and Marilyn, as well as a large circle of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Grampy will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Marguerite and Jerome Ryan and brother Ronald.

Born in St. John’s on December 23, 1934, he was the second oldest child in a family of seven children. He grew up in the West end of St. John’s, attended school at Holy Cross School and later St. Bonaventure’s College. A fascination with space exploration during the years of the “space race” inspired Jim to eventually study technology. Always an excellent student, he was accepted into The Ryerson Institute of Technology in Toronto and completed his education in Electronic Technology, graduating in 1961.

It was during the lead up to college that Jim was introduced to the kind and beautiful love of his life, Shirley and the two would soon marry and start a family together. They moved around in their early years initially living in Ontario while Jim went to college and it’s there, they had their first two children, Karen and Jim. The lure of the Rock and longing for family eventually brought them back home to Newfoundland, first to Grand Falls then to St. John’s where they had three more children, Gail, Lynette and Ken to complete their family. It was here they settled into their forever home in the east end of town.

Embarking on a career that took him across Canada and as far away as England, Jim took on many interesting challenges. He was a pioneer in the early days of computing, working on main frame computers with IBM. His early days as a linesman brought him out on the Gaff Topsails, the American Naval Station in Argentia and other places around Newfoundland.

Fresh out of college, Jim was offered a job by the Burroughs Corporation and worked on the vital Distant Early Warning Line (DEW Line), a series of radar stations strategically positioned across the arctic, from Alaska through Canada over Greenland to Iceland. For several years, Jim worked on this project in places across Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, including northern parts of Quebec, while Shirley remained steadfast in Toronto taking care of the family.

It was securing the job with IBM that brought Jim and the family back home to Newfoundland. After a short time in Grand Falls, the family moved into St. John’s where Jim started teaching computing with the College of Fisheries, now The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland where he would remain for the balance of his career.

When not hard at work, Jim was an ardent outdoorsman who loved to hike, fish and hunt for rabbits with his beloved dogs – always making time for a good mug up along the way and, when in season, stopping to pick berries for Shirley’s famous blueberry buckle.

During his retirement, he was an avid sports fan who particularly enjoyed watching hockey, baseball and soccer in addition to his other interests. Always active in his younger years, Jim loved getting out on the green to play a round of golf and he regularly played on a softball team as well as enjoyed a good game of hockey with friends. Throughout his life, he walked almost daily racking up countless miles in the process.

Of the many lessons over the years, Jim taught us the importance and necessity for pride in hard work, education and attention to detail and was respected by his community and peers. This is in full display in the Ryan family home he carefully and thoughtfully built for his family and lived in to the end of his days as well as his dedication to his students and teaching. Generous with his time and energy, if you asked Jim for help, he would always say yes – only requesting a good cup of tea as recompense. A true handyman, he could fix anything mechanical or electrical and was always meticulous in his workmanship. Articulate, intelligent and curious he never lost his appetite for learning nor his desire to share his knowledge or opinions – he could speak to anyone on any subject at any time (whether you wanted to hear it or not is another matter entirely ;-).

Jim will be warmly remembered as a wonderful husband, father and proud grandfather who was never happier than when he was surrounded by his extended loving family especially his precious grandchildren. Always the entertainer, he loved to spin a good yarn and was never at a loss for words. His adoring grandchildren were the happy recipients of many a tall tale especially if it involved mischievous leprechauns. We are fortunate to have had Grampy with us for so many celebrations and special occasions over the years and we will cherish every memory together.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 13^th, 2024 at Carnell’s Funeral home, 329 Freshwater Road, St. John’s from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Funeral service will be held the following day, Sunday, in the Carnell’s Chapel at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow. The service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend. The link to view is listed above.

In honour of Jim’s memory, we kindly request that in lieu of flowers, and if you so choose, that a donation can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Thank you to all whose kind efforts made Jim’s final days easier, including the Nursing staff at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital and especially to Nurse Practitioner and angel on earth, Donna, whose comfort, caring and compassion in Dad’s final moments mean more than we can ever express in words.