Edward F. Ryan, “Eddie”, died peacefully Sept 22, 2020 at the VA Nursing Home in Tilton, NH, he was 89.
Ed served in the Navy from 1947 to 1951, deploying to the Mediterranean on the USS Fargo and Colleton. Upon being Honorably Discharged, he worked as a laborer helping to build the Callahan Tunnel, as an insurance salesman and joined the Revere Police Department in 1962. He loved being a policeman and dedicated the next 34 years of his life to serving the City of Revere as a Patrolman, Detective, and Shift Supervisor. He was an honest and compassionate cop who believed in giving people a chance, providing many a wayward person with a stern warning and an opportunity to change their lives. In 1971, he graduated from Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice and then taught Police Procedures and Administration there to thousands of law enforcement personnel until 1983. In 1992, he ran an unsuccessful campaign for Mayor of Revere on the platform of saving the Police Department from neglectful and corrupt politicians. He retired as a Lieutenant in 1996 and enjoyed walking Revere Beach with a good cigar, reading, playing poker in his basement with friends and traveling the world.
He quietly took care of his neighbors wherever he lived, providing meals, trips to the store, companionship and whatever help he could procure when needed.
He was a great storyteller who found humor in life and told his stories with an easy charm that endeared him to friends and acquaintances. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and the staff at the VA Home who loved him dearly.
Born in Winthrop on Dec 4th, 1930, he was raised in Revere, MA where he lived for most of his life on Vinal St surrounded by family and friends. He moved to Londonderry, NH with his son and his family in 2005.
He is survived by his daughter Maureen (James)Tully of Peabody, MA, his son Michael (Deena) Ryan of Londonderry, NH, and his daughter Mary A. Ryan Blaney of Lynn, MA. Ed has 8 grandchildren, Ryan (Lisa) Tully, Meaghan (Corey) Cedorchuk, Bridget Tully, Cameron, Connor, Colin, Katherine and Maeve Ryan, and 3 great-grandchildren. Also survived by his sister Kathleen (Gerald) Amore of Revere, and his brother Kenneth (Cynthia) Ryan of Revere as well as many nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Edward Sr. and Josephine Ryan, his wife of 33 years Noreen (Cunningham), infant daughter Linda & his brother Donald Ryan.
Following cremation, memorial calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2020 from 10am – 1pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. Due to State of NH guidelines, all guests are required to wear masks, minimize contact and maintain social distancing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edward’s memory to Visions For Creative Housing Solutions – Green Street, 8 Sunrise Farm Lane, Enfield NH 03748 or at http://www.visionsnh.org/take-actionTo send a condolence or for more information, please visit www.peabodyfuneralhome.com