Tommy Ryan

March 17, 1937 – March 4, 2022

Tommy died peacefully with friends and family by his side on March 4, 2022, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier in the year.

Never in his 84 years of life did Tommy make a long story short, but we’ll do our best with this obituary. Tommy was born John Thomas Ryan on St. Patrick’s Day March 17, 1937 in Long Island, New York, to Ann Virginia (Garver) and Jeremiah David Ryan, the second son and third child of four.

He grew up in Larchmont, New York, and graduated from Iona Preparatory, in New Rochelle, and got his college degree from Villanova University, then served in the United States Army. Throughout his life, Tommy held positions in the fields of sales, hospitality, property management, and drug and alcohol counseling.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife and mother of his only child, Ruth (Sullivan) Ryan; his sister, Adelaide Kerrigan;and his beloved second wife, Diane Cherry Ryan, and her daughter, Dana Cherry.

Tommy is survived by his daughter, Lisa Laughlin (Tim); her children Patricia and Tim Laughlin; his brother, Jeremiah David Jr., and his children, Jeremiah David III (Christine), Michaela Ryan McGinn (Michael), Mary Virginia Maugeri (Carmen), Sean (Stephanie), and Kevin (Coleen); as well as his sister, Judith Ryan, and her children, Liam Stokes (Betsy) and Tim Stokes (Anne); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

For more than 40 years, Tommy was a good friend of Bill W.

He never met a stranger and made many friends wherever he lived: New York, NY; Levittown, Pennsylvania; Annapolis, MD; Mexico City, Mexico; San Francisco, CA; Hilo, HI; Bisbee, AZ; and Columbus, OH.

Tommy was always a New Yorker and a loyal fan of the New York Giants. He loved history books and a good cup of Barry’s Irish Breakfast tea (made to his specifications, of course).

His Ohio family will welcome visitors for calling hours on Thursday, March 10, from 6-8 pm at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221. Tommy will be interred at a private service in New York at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Ohio Group Fellowship, 651 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215

May the roof over your head be always strong.

And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead

~ Irish Blessing