As a young man John J. Ryan, Sr. always dreamed of becoming a funeral director. His dream finally came true in May of 1947, when he and his wife Beatrice opened the John J. Ryan Home for Funerals.
One thing was important to Jack Ryan, and that was to handle each family the same way. He gave each family the caring and compassion they needed. He knew that death was a great loss in the families he served and was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Jack Ryan passed on those traditions to his daughter Jacqueline (Jackie, pictured below and with her father, left). After his death in 1985, Jackie continued her father’s work, but with a female touch. She worked with families just like her father did. If people could not afford a funeral, she would make sure that the family had some way to say goodbye with dignity and respect.
After the sudden and unexpected death of Jackie in 2003, a third generation began continuing the family tradition. Jackie’s daughter Catherine (Cathy) Ryan, (who not licensed or qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals) is working on getting her license. She is working along side William J. Cousin who is her manager until she completes school.
Since Cathy (pictured left, with Mr. Cousin) has taken over, many changes have occurred. The funeral home has been remodeled, families are invited to use the new office entrance in the rear of the building, when they are coming to make arrangements. The only thing that has not changed is the tradition of true compassion and understanding that families have come to know and expect from the Ryan Funeral Home.
One thing we do encourage is that families stop by look around, ask questions, and even make an appointment to set up a pre-arrangement before they need us. We feel a family should not have to think under pressure, we want people to feel at home.
