Deacon Jerry Ryan

Born in Bronx, New York and was the 3rd child of Jeremiah and Anna Loretta Ryan of New York.

Loving father to his six children: Timothy and his wife, Deb Carroll; Andrew and his wife, Marion Wong; Eileen and her husband, Robert O’Neill; Jennifer and her husband, Derek Churchill; Matthew; Thomas. Cherished Papa to Jessica, Samantha, Jack, Patrick, John, Maureen, and Kellan. Also survived by his step-granddaughter, Aiden Gilbert, and his sister Mary Ryan, along with many nieces and nephews.

Deacon Jerry was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy Ryan whom he was happily married to for 55 wonderful years.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40. Deacon Jerry was a faithful servant and personified this passage. His actions and his kindness have left an indelible mark upon so many in his community and the South Shore region.

Deacon Jerry was ordained a permanent deacon on September 10, 1994 and served the Parish of Holy Ghost in Whitman, MA.  Later, he was reassigned to his Home Parish St. Joseph the Worker in Hanson, MA. Throughout his Diaconate, he served his ministry in several capacities, including the Chaplain for the Prison in Boston, MA. He concluded his ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas in West Bridgewater, MA.

An avid sailor, Captain Jerry loved sailing with his First Mate, Nancy and the rest of his extended family and friends in the waters, surrounding the New England coastline. Captain Jerry will be fondly remembered.

A Celebration of Deacon Jerry’s life will be held at the Sullivan Funeral Home in Hanson on Friday, February 1st from 3pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph the Worker Church, One Maquan Street, Hanson on Saturday, February 2nd at 11 AM, followed by burial at Fern Hill Cemetery, High Street, Hanson. Relatives & friends invited.

The St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Joseph The Worker was incredibly generous with Deacon Jerry and his family.  Therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations/expressions of sympathy may be made in Deacon Jerry’s memory to St. Vincent DePaul Society, care of St. Joseph The Worker 1 Maquan St, Hanson, MA 02341