Barry Frederick Ryan

Barry Frederick Ryan passed away on May 16th, after an almost 30 year courageous battle with Crohn’s Disease. Born in Portland, on August 23, 1951 to Frederick J. Ryan and Margaret (Olmstead) Ryan. He attended Portland schools and graduated from Portland High School in 1970. He was drafted and served 2 years in the U.S. Navy from 1971 to 1973 on the U.S.S. Forest Sherman. After his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1975, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 23 years. As his battle with Crohn’s Disease progressed Barry took a disability retirement in 1998. 

His real passion in life was stock car racing. In the early 70’s, Barry loved to sneak out and take his parents 1971 Plymouth Duster to the Oxford Drag Racing track. He competed against other cars on the weekends while his parents slept. He won many drag races and despite having a room full of trophies, he wasn’t caught until forgetting to wipe off the shoe polish racing number on the corner of the windshield. According to his brother Tim, “When my parents and I got in the car to visit relatives one Sunday morning, I asked what the number on the windshield was for. My Dad looked at the number and swore up a storm. My brother’s drag racing career came to an abrupt end but my boring family car became cooler than the Batmobile knowing it had actually won many races.”

Barry was a familiar site at various race tacks throughout the state over the years. He was very proud of the fact that he attended every single Oxford 250 race since it’s inception in 1974. During the mid-70s Barry was heavily associated with the Maine Racing Annual magazine, working on everything from packing, delivering and selling the magazine at racetracks around the state of Maine. He then worked on pit crews for various race teams in the Gray/New Gloucester area. 

Barry was also known throughout the years as someone who always lent a helping hand to someone in need. Many people who were homeless or in dire need found a place to stay with Barry until they were back on their feet. The expression “giving the shirt off his back” was used many times in referring to Barry for many times he did just that for people.

Early this year despite being in the very advance stages of Crohn’s Disease, Barry took up acting as the very funny and villainous Christmas tree poacher in the short film titled “LENNY” that was written & directed by his brother Tim. The film was featured in the 2011 International 48 Hour Go Green Film Festival. Barry did his own stunt driving.

But Barry’s favorite role was being “Grandpa” to his grandchildren. He very much enjoyed taking them boating, swimming & water tubing during the Summer, county fairs, going to yard sales and remote control car racing. He always kept a drawer full of candy and a refrigerator full of various types of canned drinks for the grandchildren and their neighborhood friends.

His brother George H. Ryan predeceased him in 1988. His son Frederick E. Ryan of Oxford and his daughter Tina Tilton of Lewiston, his two brothers James J. Ryan of Scarborough and Timothy J. Ryan of Lisbon, survive him. Five grandchildren and three nephews & two nieces survive him as well. He is also survived by his soul mate Linda Emery of South Paris, whom he had too little time with.

A memorial party to celebrate the life of Barry is planned sometime in mid to late June. For more details as they become available email: [email protected]

Arrangements are under the direction of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services of Portland, 981 Forest Ave., Portland.

For further information and to sign Barry’s guest book please visit www.advantageportland.com.

In lieu of flowers (Barry hated them.), Barry’s family request that anyone wishing to do so to make a donation to:

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

National Processing Center

Attn: Honor & Memorial Gifts

PO Box 1245

Albert Lea, MN, 56007-9976.

Or by visiting their website:

http://www.ccfa.org