Vinny, Dad, Grampy……Vincent Ryan, age 91, of Rochester passed away on Friday May 24, 2024 at Boston Medical Center after a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Patricia E. Ryan and celebrated their 63rd anniversary earlier in May.
Vinny was born in New Bedford to Vincent C. and Grace (Neville) Ryan. He was an only child, growing up in New Bedford and graduating from Holy Family High School in 1950. He attended Georgetown University from 1950 to 1953 and served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. After his service, he worked as a phlebotomist at St. Luke’s Hospital where he met and fell in love with Patricia. After several years in the lab at St. Luke’s, he followed his father and took a job at New England Telephone where he worked for the next 32 years, retiring in 1990.
He was married to Patricia in 1961, living in Acushnet until they moved to Rochester in 1965. Vinny was very active in the local community, serving in the Lion’s club for several years. He was one of the official starters at the annual Memorial Day boat race for many years. During the early 1970’s, he became involved in the site search for what was to become Old Colony Regional Vocational High School. Once the site in Rochester was selected, he served on the building committee and when construction was complete, he served on the regional school committee continuously from its inception until he retired in his early 80’s. He retired from the committee as its longest serving member and was honored by the school with a ceremony dedicating the school gymnasium as the Vincent Ryan Gymnasium. He touched countless lives during his tenure on the Old Colony school committee, handing diplomas to hundreds of graduates over the years.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, son Michael and his wife Christine of Rochester, Daughter Kimberly and her partner David Hirshlag of Rochester, and two grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Ryan. He was loved dearly and will be missed.
There will be a celebration of life in the coming weeks. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a generous donation to the Rochester Senior Center.
