David John Ryan, 65, of Portsmouth Rhode Island formerly of Franklin died May 6 at his home following a brief illness. He was the husband of Ellen (Woods ) Ryan for the past 35 years.
Born in Olean, New York, February 2, 1956, the son of the late James K. Ryan, Jr. and June M. (Johnston) Ryan, Mr. Ryan was raised in Madison, Connecticut and had lived in Franklin for 27 years before moving to Portsmouth, Rhode Island in 2018.
Mr. Ryan was a 1980 graduate of Florida Institute of Technology. After graduating, he worked for Western Geophysical on an oil excavation vessel in the Amazon. In 1984, he graduated from Cambridge Institute of Technology and began his career at Verizon Communications. He had been the Executive Director of IT for Verizon for 23 years. After working for Verizon, he was the VP- IT Infrastructure for FairPoint Communications.
An avid sailor, he had received a Coast Guard Captain’s license for a 100 Ton Vessel.
He had helped sail a 62-foot sailboat from Newport to Croatia in 2018. He also worked for Old Port in Newport as a water shuttle captain. He was the captain of his 40-foot Little Harbor named Laughing Girl. David was also a member of a golf and tennis league.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, Dan Ryan and his wife Tara of New York City, Kathleen Ryan of Jersey City, New Jersey, Michael Ryan of Somerville, and John Ryan of South Boston. He is also survived by his siblings, Michael Ryan of Newport, Rhode Island, Robert Ryan of Marlboro and Sharon Ryan of Madison, Connecticut as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 11th in St. Mary’s Church, Franklin at 10:00. Burial will be private.
Calling hours will be on Monday, May 10th from 4-7 p.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute., 450 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02215.