Christopher G. Ryan
DRACUT, MA: Christopher George Ryan, age 60, formerly of Tyngsborough, MA and Tewksbury, MA passed away surrounded by his family in the care of Lahey Health and Medical Center on Monday, May 3, 2021.
He was the beloved husband of Maria A. (Catalano) Ryan, with whom he spent 35 beautiful years. They met after a chance encounter in the middle of the night at a Tewksbury store. They met again at North Meadow and in true Chris Ryan fashion he bartered $1 for his first dance with his future wife.
Born in Winchester, MA on March 14th, 1961 he was the son of the late William L. Ryan and Rhea C. (Suprenant) Ryan.
He was Father to Tessa M. Ryan, Patrick A. Ryan, and Sophia R. Ryan. Who he supported, cherished, taught, and loved with all his being.
Christopher, known to most as Chris and to the select few of his closest friends as “Rybags” was the life of the party, the loudest in the crowd, and who many people have described as “their favorite person”.
Christopher most often spoke about his life growing up in Tewksbury, MA although he was not born there, his family most remembers his love for the town and how often, even past his graduation from Tewksbury Memorial High school, he would dawn that old torn up, grass-stained Tewksbury Football Away Jersey with the red number 64 displayed proudly across his chest. Surrounded by a huge family, his loving siblings, and best friends he found some of his greatest passions in life including wrestling, football, and making people smile and laugh with his ridiculous jokes.
He would go on to attend Bridgewater State University, and although he did not complete his degree he would leave Bridgewater with lifelong friends, enduring memories and the motivation to carve his own path in life.
Christopher served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was honorably discharged on May 14, 1987.
Christopher had a long career in sales in which he worked hard and strove to give so much to others (especially his family), he lived and worked with integrity. He used his enigmatic and charming personality to put people at ease, comfort them, and create connections with everyone around him. He was the type that any random person might approach and tell their story. He questioned constantly, listened intently, and trusted in the good of all people. He had little time for “fakers” as he liked to put it, and passed on these traits and lessons to his children so they may find the success he always dreamed for them.
Throughout his life Christopher's energy was most focused on providing for his family, friends, and loved ones in whatever way he could. He sat in the bleachers through every kind of weather, at any time of day to cheer for his children, critique a referee’s call, and support the whole team with as much enthusiasm as possible. He coached kids in basketball, football, wrestling, and stood proudly to cheer his wife on when she coached volleyball. He was everyone's favorite CCD teacher, because he always knew how to make things fun. He acted as a mentor to many, and kept an open-door policy for all of his children's friends, no matter how crazy they got. He always knew he could break up a party with one single walk through in his whitey tightys, but he was more apt to join in the revery instead.
He loved his fantasy football and sports center, watching Hallmark Movies with his mom, taking naps in comfy chairs, historical tv series, and musicals. He wore color coordinated outfits, bought clothes as gifts too big for anyone else but him, he online shopped and owned more sweatshirts than his closet could hold. He was the first and last one on the stage whenever there was karaoke, and he always had time for a mushroom and cheese omelet or a Diet Coke. He loved to tease his children, and to laugh with his family and friends.
To his wife he was her memory, her best friend, and by her accounts the only man who ever truly understood her. To his children he was the voice in their ears to keep going, and the hand on their back pushing them forward.
He is survived by his siblings William P. Ryan and his wife Debra Bard, Margaret Charlebois and her husband Steve, Denise Ryan and her husband Austin Tichenor, and Peter Ryan and his wife Sharon (Wheaton). As well as his brother-in-law’s Anthony Catalano and his wife Linda, Stephen Catalano and his wife Judi, and Deano Catalano and his wife Karen. 17 nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are Sunday, May 9th, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral Mass will begin on Monday, May 10th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. Masks, social distancing, and gathering limitations are necessary. In lieu of flowers, donations to American Stroke Foundation 6405 Metcalf Ave #214, Overland Park, KS 66202 are suggested.