Ryan, Robert W., age 88 of the Bradford section of Haverhill, died early Saturday morning, June 7, 2008 at the Amesbury Village Skilled Nursing Center, Amesbury.
He was a lifelong resident of Haverhill, born on January 20, 1920,the son of the late Joseph U. and Catherine (Meehan) Ryan. Mr. Ryan attended St. James School and St. James High School, Haverhill.
He is a Veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army. Upon returning to Haverhill from the service he joined the Haverhill Fire Department, serving for over twenty-five years and retiring at the rank of Lieutenant. Always enjoying the outdoors and gardening, after retirement he worked part-time for the Kingston Nursery, Kingston, NH.
His interests also included golfing, hunting, fishing, his dogs, and, most importantly, spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Amesbury Golf Club, Amesbury.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Constance F. (Godfrey) Ryan of Bradford; his daughters, Susan R. Mitchell and her husband Robert E. of Groveland and Madeline R. Sullivan and her husband Michael J. of Haverhill; son, Robert W. Ryan, Jr. of Lowell; four grandchildren, Christopher Tuccolo, Stacy Tuccolo, Alexis Spencer, and Eric Sullivan; two great-grandchildren Brady and Sydney Spencer; and several nephews and nieces - especially his nephew James Ryan, Jr. of Bradford.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning, June 10, 2008 in the C. Frank Linnehan and Son Bradford Funeral Home, 52 Salem Street, Bradford at 9:00 a.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. James Church, 185 Winter Street, Haverhill, at 10:00 a.m. Burial with Haverhill Fire Department and Military Honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Salem Street, Bradford. Calling hours Monday, 4:00-8:00 p.m. Relatives and friends invited. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Robert's memory to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, c/o Home Health Foundation, 360 Merrimack Street, Bldg. 9C, Lawrence, MA 01843.