Edward Joseph Ryan

Edward J. Ryan, aged 58, passed away peacefully on the evening of December 29, 2022 following a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was the beloved husband of Laura J. Fantasia for 19 years and devoted father of Alessandra “Allie” Fantasia Ryan (15), both of Scituate.

The son of the late Edward P. Ryan and the late Ann Marie (Kelley) Ryan, Ed enjoyed growing up in Scituate and maintained close ties with many of his childhood friends. After graduating from Scituate High School in 1982, Ed moved on to Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, where he played rugby, did a lot of skiing, a little studying, and established many lifelong friendships.

After graduation from Saint Michael's (1986), Ed worked for a time in Chicago and then transferred to St. Louis, working in insurance while earning a juris doctorate from Saint Louis University (1994). After graduating law school Ed returned to Massachusetts and continued to work in insurance, primarily in the area of medical malpractice defense. In more recent years, Ed served as the Director of Claims Management at Lifespan in Providence and as Financial and Professional Lines Claims Manager at Starr Companies in Boston.

Ed never tired of learning new things, and reveled in amassing interesting facts and obscure bits of knowledge – which he happily shared with anyone who listened to him. Ed loved to hear great stories, and loved even more to tell them. He drew you in with his understated humor and curiosity for life. His love of travel was insatiable. Ed took every opportunity to travel with Laura and Allie whether it was somewhere new or revisiting favorite spots like Naples, FL or Maui, HI. As much as he relished travelling, in the summer and early fall, Ed loved to stay close to home and spend as much time as he could on or near the water. Some of his happiest days were spent on his boat, with friends and family by his side, cruising to nowhere.

Ed looked forward to weekends where he was able to spend time with family and friends, whether it was going to a friend's cookout, a niece or nephew's sporting event, or helping someone with a home repair. But being a husband and father was Ed's greatest joy. His 29 years with Laura were filled with much love and laughter. And nothing compared to his love of being a father to Allie. She was the light of his life.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Ed is survived by his five sisters: Ellen M. Ryan of Hingham, Kathryn T. Reape and her husband Tim of Scituate, Margaret M. Ryan of Dedham, Julie Ryan Caputo and her husband Chris of Nashville, TN, Elizabeth “Libby” Ryan-Kern and her husband Mike of Honolulu, HI. Ed was the dear son-in-law of Vincent and Joan Fantasia of Burlington, MA and brother-in-law of Linda McCann and her husband Ed of Merrimack, NH, Carol Shaw and her husband Rob of Andover and Susan DeRosa and her husband John of Burlington. He was the beloved uncle of Teresa and Clare Ryan, Ryan and Molly Reape, Eleanor Ryan, Nathaniel, Gabriel and Bridget Ryan-Kern, Chrisopher and Connor McCann, Stephen and Patrick Shaw, and Jake, Jessica and Tommy DeRosa. He is also survived by many cousins and countless dear friends.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 11, 2022 from 9:00 -11:00 AM at St. Anthony's Church, 2 Summer St., Cohasset, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Trinity Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Allie Ryan’s 529 college savings plan https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/familygifting/mlgLandingPage?uuid=6332fb6ccbf148d3b20bcb80221cd79d