Dr. Edmond Ryan passed away peacefully on March 2, 2012 at East Cumberland Lodge in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. He was born in Waterford Co. Ireland to Michael Ryan and Margaret (O'Gorman) Ryan. Although he grew up in difficult times, he thoroughly enjoyed his childhood growing up with his three brothers. After attending boarding school at St. Coleman's Catholic school for boys, he attended the National University of Ireland in Dublin graduating in 1952 with his degree in Medicine. He first worked in Dundalk, Co. Louth,Ireland and then Liverpool and London England. From there he was recruited to work in St. John's Newfoundland where he worked primarily in emergency medicine. It was while working in Newfoundland that he met the love of his life, Madeline Murphy whom he married on August 16, 1955. The couple settled in St. John's with Ed working primarily in emergency medicine as well as a day clinic. The couple had two children while living in Newfoundland, Margaret (Peggy) who was born on November 17,1956 and Michelle, born on December 31, 1960. During this same time, Ed was accepted to study Psychiatry (in 1956) and studied two years in Newfoundland before proceeding to Dalhousie University, in 1958 where he completed his studies in Psychiatry graduating with his certification in Psychiatry in 1960.
Following his graduation he worked first in Newfoundland but was then recruited by the Cumberland Mental Health Association in Amherst, Nova Scotia (in 1963) to be the founding director of Cumberland Mental Health and Psychiatric Services based in Amherst. Ed, Madeline, Peggy and Michelle then moved to Amherst in 1963 and the third and youngest child, a boy, Conor was born on July 24, 1964. Ed was a respected and admired member of the medical community in Amherst and served the wider community of Cumberland County with distinction. He provided services in various communities including Pugwash and Springhill. Ed also was on the staff of Corrections Canada at Springhill Penitentiary. He also fulfilled these duties with distinction. He also served on numerous community and provincial boards. On a voluntary basis he also served the church on the Halifax Diocesan social services commission and the Catechetical committee. Ed was a very busy professional but also thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and especially flower and vegetable gardening. His cottage at Seagrove in Tidnish was his sanctuary and this place continues to be the source of many fond memories for Ed's family.
Ed retired from Cumberland Mental Health and Psychiatric Services in 1996 and from Corrections Canada in 1998. Unfortunately, shortly after his retirement he began to notice memory difficulties which would foreshadow a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease and eventually succumbed to complications from this illness.
Ed is survived by his loving wife, Madeline; his daughter, Margaret (Peggy) (Ron) Joiner, Truro, Michelle, Ottawa,and Conor (Jean Ann), Sydney, N.S. Grandchildren, Meghan, Aislinn, and Braeden Joiner as well as Lenayah and Michaela Ryan. He is also survived by three brothers, Nicholas (Joan), Tipperary Co. Ireland; Rev. Father Michael Ryan, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and James (Theresa), Co Waterford, Ireland. as well as several loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Cumberland Health Care Foundation, St. Vincent De Paul Society and/or the Alzheimer's Society of Nova Scotia or the charity of your choice. Visitation will take place at Furlong-Jones Funeral Home, 70 Church St. Amherst on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 from 2-4 p.m and again from 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 10:00 am. Burial to take place at a later date.
www.furlongjones.ca