George P. Ryan, 88
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
George P. Ryan of Mansfield, MA, passed away on October 18, 2022 at the age of 88.
George was born in 1934 in Floral Park, New York to George and Marion (Dillman) Ryan. Christened Keightley, he eventually changed his name to George in honor of his father. Family was by far most important to George. He grew up in Hollis, Queens, NY, with his parents, and his older sister and grandmother, both named Rose. He counted among his closest relatives his cousins Fred and Hazel, who were more like siblings than cousins. George willingly served his country having completed basic training at Fort Benning, but thankfully never needed to be called up for active duty.
After the death of George’s father in 1952, Marion, Rose and George moved to Massapequa Park, NY, to a house and pool that became the heart of many joyous, and often boisterous, gatherings. Year round, George could be found outside with a thermos of coffee fixing, cleaning or painting something around the house while singing aloud to his Sony Walkman. More comfortable behind the camera, George was also an avid photographer, preserving family celebrations, milestones and even the simplest events of everyday life for generations to come.
Perhaps equal to his love of family, was his love for animals. Throughout his life, George gave a wonderful home and unconditional love to many dogs, cats and birds and supported numerous organizations that protected animals in need. For over 30 years, George also sponsored children living in poverty through World Vision International. It brought him immense joy and pride when the many children he sponsored wrote to him sharing all they’d accomplished.
George worked hard his entire life, retiring from Darby Drug’s Rockville Centre, NY, distribution center. Known affectionately as “Unc” to his nieces and nephews, George moved to Mansfield, MA in 2006 to remain close to family. George was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Mansfield, and attended Mass every week until he was no longer able to do so.
George is survived by his brother-in-law Joseph T. Coluccio and nieces Elizabeth (Leo) Ryan and Joanne Coluccio, all of Mansfield, MA; nephews Christopher (Lori) Reiss of Rochester, NY, and Joseph (Christine) Coluccio of North Babylon, NY; and his grand-nephew and -niece, Leo Ryan and Christine Reiss.
His Funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Monday, October 24th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Mansfield.
Visitation will be held prior to the Funeral Mass on Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 A.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to World Vision (www.worldvision.org/donate) in George’s memory.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com