Donald Alphonse Ryan
Born In: Canso, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: November 24th, 1922
Passed in: Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: March 16th, 2009
With a profound sense of loss we mourn the death of Donald Alfonse Ryan, much loved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, on Monday, March 16, 2009, at Victoria County Memorial Hospital.
Dad was born in Canso, N.S., on Nov. 24, 1922, the son of Daniel Martin and Florence (DeCoste) Ryan.
He was predeceased by his parents, as well as by his brothers, Pat and Tom and his sisters, Freda MacInnis, Doris Asaph and Irene Malcolm.
Dad was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 61 years, Dolanna ‘Dollie’ (MacLeod) Ryan, Alderwood; his children, Francis (Elizabeth), North River Bridge, Donald (Miriam), Keith (Mary), Eileen (Colin), Walter (Georgina), Baddeck, Robert (Florence), Hunter’s Mountain, John, Sydney, Florence (Hughie), Antigonish; as well as by special niece, Sr. Anne Malcolm, Rogersville, N.B.; and special family friend, Carmen DeGruchy, Antigonish; grandchildren, Daniel, Seamus, Dennis, Donald, Robbie, Kelsey, Brennan, Zackery, Shauna, Hanah and Ryan.
Dad was a veteran of the Second World War, having served four years in the Royal Canadian Navy, mostly on the corvette Shediac, completing 80 convoy escorts, the majority in the North Atlantic.
He was a proud and active member of Branch 53, Royal Canadian Legion. Recently, he was awarded the legion’s 60-year pin as well as a Nova Scotia Democracy 250 Certificate. He was a member of the Baddeck Volunteer Fire Department from 1959 to 1968. In addition to his lifetime involvement with the legion he enjoyed reading, writing poetry, home brewing, following current events, cooking, working at the firewood, spending time in his fishing shack and family Christmas parties.
Providing for his family was always a priority and a source of pride. He worked as a woodsman, truck driver, fisherman, janitor, legion manager, maintenance man, garbage collector, bottle exchange owner, manager of the Baddeck legion’s outdoor rink and keeper of the Kidston Island lighthouse, these often in a multitude of combinations. His work took him from the Canso Causeway to Pinaude’s Boatyard, to Victoria County Memorial Hospital, to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 53 and on the Bras d’Or Lakes.
Visitation will be at MacAskill’s Funeral Home, Baddeck, Thursday, March 19 from 2-9 p.m. with a Royal Canadian Legion service at 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held Friday, March 20 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m. with Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating. Burial to follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice/Palliative Care, Victoria County Memorial Hospital, Alderwood Rest Home or a charity of choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of MacAskill’s Funeral Home.
