Alexander "Alex" Edward Ryan

It is with deep love and gratitude for all the days we’ve shared with Alex that we are announcing his passing. In the absence of an immediate service, Eleanor, Jen and Brian, Ed and Amber, Andrew and Desiree and Galen, together with granddaughters, Andi and Alex, Lawrence and Rosemary, Rob and Joanne, Jackie and families would like to share a bit of his wonderful life.

Dad and his parents, Josephine (Kennedy) and Eddie Ryan, lived on Hillcrest Street in the late coal mining era of Inverness. Hillcrest Street was part of the co-operative movement in Cape Breton. Dad learned from a very young age that great things happen when people come together, work hard and care for each other. After losing his father, a veteran of WW2, Dad’s mother Josephine continued to nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital and raised her boys with such love, good humor and pride.

Dad’s first love was likely a toss up between cars, basketball and boxing – all of which were family affairs. Together Dad, Rob, Lawrence, brothers and dear friends, along with their Ryan and MacDonald cousins shared many hours traveling to games and tournaments. In time these road trips transitioned to the ultimate sport – vehicle shopping for the people in their lives. These early loves, however, were soon overshadowed by a much greater one. In 1970 Dad was picked up when hitchhiking to a dance at the Strathlorne Legion Hall by Eleanor Cameron who was home from STFX for the semester. A partnership for the ages, they were married for 48 wonderful years. Mom and Dad’s love for each other was generous, warm, caring and beautiful to watch. There was always such a lovely friendship between the Ryan and Cameron families. Dad deeply cherished this relationship and thought the absolute world of his mother-in-law, Robie, who loved him so much in return. In 1980 Mom and Dad decided they wanted to build their own home on a beautiful family property overlooking the ocean. Dad then purchased a few books, teaching himself to build the house that became such a loving and welcoming home.

Dad had a very curious mind. These natural interests led him to a career in instrumentation that transitioned into oil and gas project management. It was a profession he was able to share with both sons, who were so proud to see how respected Dad was for the way he treated, mentored and advised the people on his projects. His work took him across Canada, to the Netherlands and offshore. Dad always loved the places he saw, the lifelong friendships made and adventures that came with his line of work.

Entrepreneurial by nature, Dad’s adult life has always involved some degree of business interests, investment and ownership - the Inverness Beach Village, Cape Breton Fish Industries Ltd., The Gables Motel, A. Ryan Contracting, Tradewinds Realty, Quincy Street Market, Ryan Property Care and, most recently, Mapleview Housing Development. This community building extended to supporting many community organizations. Dad also had a keen eye for recognizing opportunity, not just for himself but for so many others. He took such great pleasure in making the connections between people and the jobs, land, cars, houses that he thought were a good fit. He regularly acted as an experienced sounding board for friends and families in their business ventures. He encouraged people to lean into possibility, take a chance and apply for the ‘big job’. He refused to let people rule themselves out of exciting opportunities. Dad’s example, experience and gentle guidance allowed us all to imagine new possibilities, invest in ourselves and recognize the importance of community. This, perhaps, is Dad’s greatest legacy.

Dad’s very favorite days were spent with a warm summer breeze, the house full of people, BBQ sizzling, the kitchen bustling, Eleanor’s Caesar Salad on the table, the driveway full of cars, the occasional water fight, music in the air, people laughing and talking on the decks with a colorful sun setting in the distance. There was quite simply nothing better than time spent at home with the people he loved. We know as long as we continue to gather in this spirit, Dad will always be with us.

The arrival of granddaughters, Alex and Andi brought Dad the greatest joy. His eyes twinkled in their presence. He always took the time to play, to sing, to read and to rock them to sleep. Though Dad’s Parkinson’s diagnosis was a painful and challenging time, Andi and Alex found something interesting in the idea of having an extra special ‘Shaky Poppa’. There were songs, there were dances and there was laughter when we needed it most.

There is so much more we wanted for Dad but we also know that all he ever really wanted was for us to be happy, to be safe, to feel secure, to feel loved and because he moved mountains in this world for all of us, we are. This was a life so well lived and for that we are grateful. It is in the spirit of celebrating his wonderful life that friends and family, near and far, are invited to find a way to help someone out in a meaningful way, broker an exciting opportunity for someone who needs a break, invest in someone starting a small business and, always, take the time to treat people with the kindness and respect they deserve. Going forward, we will care for each other, our loved ones and our community in the best way possible because that is what Dad’s beautiful way of being in this world has taught us. Donations in his memory can be made to Inverness Hospital Charitable Foundation in recognition of their truly outstanding care or to a community charity of your choosing.

A celebration of our beloved husband, father, poppa and brother, Alex Ryan, will take place at 3p.m. on Saturday August 6th at the home of Alex and Eleanor Ryan in Inverness"

Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com