Clarence M. Ryal

Clarence was born in Dresden, NY on November 5th, 1915, the son of the late, William and Mary (Mittower) Ryal. Clarence served in the US Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945. He was a Top Turret Gunner on the B-25 Hawkeye flying 50 missions. In 2012, Clarence was an attendee on the Honor Flight. He read the Memorial Day Honor Roll for 80 years at the Memorial Day Services in Dresden, NY. Clarence was the former owner and operator of Ryal’s Sunoco Station and Ryal’s Motel in Dresden. He was a talented musician, having his own band and recently spent time playing the keyboard at the local nursing homes. In addition to being an avid sports fans and cheering on his NY Mets, he was a life member to many service organizations in the Penn Yan and Dresden area, including the Penn Yan Moose, the Penn Yan Elk’s and Kiwanis. In addition to his parents, Clarence was predeceased by his 3 year old son, Leigh Ryal; his southern belle wife, Hazel (Crawford) Ryal; and his siblings, Clara Bradford and Wendell Ryal.

Clarence is survived by his daughter, Mary Claire Darling; granddaughters, Sarah (Mike) Jones of Binghamton and Becky (Tyler) Rae of Sayre, PA; great granddaughter, Kathryn Hazel Rae; several nieces and nephews; and cousin, Lucy Purcell.

Friends and family may call from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm on Friday, February 6th at the Townsend-Wood Funeral Chapel, 201 E. Elm St., Penn Yan, NY 14527. His funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, February 7th at 11am with Military Honors. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Lakeview Cemetery in Penn Yan.