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RYAN, Rev. Msgr. Paul T., age 92, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2024, at the Regina Cleri Residence, Archdiocese of Boston. He was born July 19, 1931, in Jamaica Plain. Beloved son of the late John F. and Josephine M. (Dolan) Ryan. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings Mary Reilly and her husband James, Catherine McGuire and her husband John, John Ryan and his wife Elaine, Margaret Gallagher and her husband John, James Ryan, and Peter Ryan and his wife Marianne. He is survived by his many loving nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and nephews.
Monsignor Ryan grew up in Jamaica Plain and attended Boston College High School and Boston College. After graduating from Boston College, he entered St. John’s Seminary. He was ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on February 3, 1958 by Richard Cardinal Cushing. He then served at the following parishes: St. Peter’s in Lowell, St. Angela’s in Mattapan, St. Mary’s in Brookline, Most Precious Blood in Hyde Park, and St. Gregory’s in Dorchester with the honor of being the Pastor for 27 years. Fr. Ryan was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II and given the title “Reverend Monsignor” in 1998. In 2008, he was granted Senior Priest/Retirement Status. He subsequently served at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Norwood, before joining his brethren at the Regina Cleri Residence in 2016. As a family, we were all comforted by the exceptional care he received from the nurses and staff.
As a season ticket holder for many years, he loved going to the Boston College football games. When he had the chance, he enjoyed a game of golf, for the friendships more than the scores. He cherished his summers down Cape Cod working as a garbage collector and milkman which helped pay for college, and in his later years fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning his own little home in Mashpee. Above all, he will be remembered as an exceptional and dedicated Priest/Monsignor, who was so kind, caring and had a great sense of humor. A life well-lived and now he is at peace!
Visiting Hours in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 549 Washington St. Norwood on Wednesday, January 24th from 6-9pm. Msgr. Ryan will lie in state in St. Gregory Church, 2215 Dorchester Ave. Dorchester on Thursday, January 25th from 9-11am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. Donations in his memory may be made to the Monsignor Ryan Scholarship Fund at St. Catherine of Siena Parish School, 249 Nahatan St. Norwood, MA 02062 or Regina Cleri, 60 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, MA 02114. For guestbook gormleyfuneral.com.