Donald John Ryan

He was born on May 11, 1956 in Salem, Massachusetts. He was the first of four children, and only son, of John E. Ryan and Ruth G. (Donovan) Ryan. He is preceded in death by both of his parents.

Donald grew up in Stratford, CT and graduated from Bunnell High School. He went on to graduate from Norwalk Tech and Bridgeport Engineering Institute.

Don loved life. He was always happy, lighthearted and the life of the party. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and went out of his way to help anyone in need. He had a passion for hot rod cars and built his own Bradley GT while in high school.

Flying planes was a life-long interest and he obtained his pilots license to further pursue his passion. Don also received his HAM radio license and was certified as a search and rescue pilot.

He was an entrepreneurial spirit with a strong marketing mind and had many inventions and patents in the works upon his passing. He was always willing to lend a hand and was an integral partner in the family businesses.

Left to celebrate his memory are Sheila (Mahoney) Ryan of Cary, NC; and their children, Kyle (Stefanie) Ryan of Charleston, SC; Colleen (Fletcher) O’Cain of Cary, NC; Sean Ryan and Brendan Ryan of Cary, NC; and his granddaughter, Sofia Ryan of Charleston, SC. Also surviving are his sisters, Janice (Kevin) Ryan-Roche of Unionville, CT; Deborah Ryan of Shelton, CT; and Gail (Albert) Moncovich of Essex, CT; as well as his nieces and nephews, Kaitlyn Roche of Washington, DC; Ryan Roche of Boston, MA; Nicole Sutyak and Jason Sutyak of Shelton, CT. Fond memories will also be held by his childhood friends, David Williams of Southport, NC; and Michael Pekar of Niota, TN.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home located at 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the nonprofit, Transitions Life Care in Raleigh, NC: www.transitionslifecare.org | 919-828-0890 | 250 Hospice Circle.

www.BrownWynneCary.com