Obituary of John Kennedy Ryan

Son – Brother – Uncle – Husband – Father – Grandfather – Great-Grandfather – Soldier – Knight – Realtor – Musician John (Jack) Ryan of Calgary passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2005 at 86 years of age and has now joined his beloved wife Connie in heaven. Born in Fort Macleod, AB on November 8, 1918 to William John Ryan and Kathryn Ann (Cassie) Ryan (nee Kennedy), Jack was the youngest of two and little brother to June. It was his early days in Fort Macleod that would set the stage for a life filled with music, family and service. As a teen, Jack became a member of the Knights of Columbus, an organization he would serve for more than sixty years. As a young man, Jack’s mother encouraged him to enlist and while he eventually specialized in Weapons Coordination, he was soon invited to play saxophone for the Tin Hats, a big band that entertained the troops across Europe during the final days of the War. On his return from overseas, Jack continued his musical career and played with the popular Sonny Frye Band out of Sylvan Lake, AB as well as with various local musicians who entertained thousands of dancers at Penley’s Pavilion. Right around this time, Jack and his good buddy Pip Hamilton took the entrepreneurial plunge and started up the Hamilton-Ryan Music Co. This early sales experience drew Jack to Real Estate and eventually both he and Pip would begin lifelong careers in Calgary’s booming Real Estate market. Rich and Jackson, Safe-Co, Nu-West, Kentron, Keith, P.J. Toole and Cote and finally ReMax, Jack was at the forefront of the industry he would eventually be a part of for more than forty-five years. Often people would approach Jack on the street with the greeting: “You sold me my first house!” Many of his later clients were children and grandchildren of his earliest homebuyers. Alongside his passion for music was his complete devotion to his family. He met his wife Connie at a dance (where else!) and from there they embarked on a forty-eight year marriage that produced six children, thirteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many great memories. Retiring from Real Estate in the ’90’s did not mean Jack was ready for the rocking chair and porch. He remained active in the Knights, continued to play music with the big band The Oath and the Dixie Band Alberta Gold. One of Jack’s greatest honours came as a result of his own military service combined with the service of his father and uncles in the North West Mounted Police (NWMP); he became an honourary member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This association brought Jack countless hours of enjoyment swapping stories over coffee on Friday mornings with the many police and RCMP veterans he admired so greatly. Jack was predeceased by his wife Connie and his sister June Hoppins. He is survived by his six children: John Ryan and Faith Dean (Bragg Creek), Tim and Sid Ryan (Toronto), Katherine and Ernest Granson (Calgary), Eleanor and Tim Jones (Houston), Margaret and Chris Harris (Calgary) and Patrick and Sabra Ryan (Calgary); his thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild: Larkin (Raini), Crystal, Dieter, Claire, Olivia, Jillian, Robert, Michael, Katherine, Kennedy, Jett, Sophia and Taia; and his nieces and nephews (Ken Hoppins, Maureen Frere, Bill Hoppins, Lynn Kyba, Fran Oleniuk and Colleen Hoppins) and their families. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Monday, February 28, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church (1600 Acadia Drive S.E.) on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The Ryan family would like to take this opportunity to thank the fantastic staff at the Foothills Cardiac Function Clinic, Dr. Sepanji and his staff, the staff and residents of Trinity Lodge, and the many health care providers at the Rockyview General Hospital and Foothills Medical Centre that always treated Jack (and his family) with the utmost respect. In living memory of Jack Ryan, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.