John F. Ryan

SLINGERLANDS- John F. Ryan, age ninety two, of Guilderland, New York passed away on April 11, 2024 in Our Lady of Mercy Life Center. He was born on May 1, 1931 in North Bennington, Vermont to the late Elizabeth and John Ryan and had one sister.

John, a long-time resident of Guilderland, NY is predeceased by his wife, Anne P. Ryan to whom he was married for sixty three years. John is also survived by four sons, Timothy, Michael, Daniel and John Jr. and predeceased by son Kevin. He is also predeceased by his sister Mary Hanlon and survived by nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

John’s family is grateful to the medical and professional staff at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center for the skilled and compassionate care given to both John and Anne during their respective stays at the facility. The staff’s kindness and patience allowed John and Anne to spend their final days with dignity and their collective efforts are much appreciated.

John graduated from North Bennington High School and obtained a degree in Health and Physical Education from Manhattan College in New York City. He went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in School Administration from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany.

Along with his academic credentials, John was taught to be a highly skilled brick mason by his father who was a veteran of the trade. He used these skills to help his family and pay for his college expenses. John maintained his brick mason skills for many years and built several fireplaces and completed other masonry work for family and friends throughout the years.

After graduating from Manhattan College, John served his country during the Korean War from 1954-1956. Stationed overseas, John earned the rank of Sargent in the Army and was honorably discharged when his service requirement was complete and returned home to start his career and marry Anne in 1957.

John dedicated his professional career to secondary school education. He started his career as a physical education teacher and coach of the Cohoes High School Junior Varsity basketball team. He then moved on to a health and physical education position at Hudson High School and coached the varsity basketball team to the Capital District League conference championship in 1963.

John and Anne then moved their young family to Guilderland in 1964 when he accepted a Guidance Counselor position. For the next thirty one years, John was a well-known and respected Administrator at Guilderland High School and held various leadership positions during his tenure. He counseled, advised, mentored and supported thousands of high school students during his career and earned a reputation as a highly competent, experienced and compassionate leader of young people.

John was also an active and valued member of Guilderland’s community. He was elected and served as a Town Council Representative for several years. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and served on the Parish Council and also as a Lectern. John was also very active in youth sports and coached his son’s teams in baseball and basketball for many years.

John and Anne owned a summer cottage on Cape Cod and vacationed there every year. Family members continue to cherish memories of summers spent together on Cape Cod to this day. John and Anne loved to dance and were often seen demonstrating their skill and enjoying themselves well into the night on the dance floor. John was also an avid sailor and spent many summer days traversing Lewis Bay on Cape Cod as well as various Adirondack Lakes.

John was selfless in service to others and had unyielding commitment to family and friends. In times of adversity, he always was ready to comfort and help in any way he could. John was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend to many and his presence, energy, kindness and enthusiasm for life will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

Services for John will be held at Christ the King Church in Guilderland on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 beginning with Visitation at 9:30am followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30am. A Procession to St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands will follow the Funeral Mass.

Arrangements under the direction of the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Albany.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to either Christ the King Church or the Guilderland Food Pantry.