Patrick H. Ryan

Patrick Henry Ryan passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, after a short illness. Realizing he would not survive, our prayers were that he not suffer, and stay alert so we could visit with him during this time. We thank the Lord for answering our prayers and scores of others that were praying for him. Pat was born August 16,1917 in Emden, Illinois to Nicholas Ryan and Loreen Quisenberry Ryan. He married Jean Chisholm August 20,1949 in Flint, Michigan. He is survived by his wife and 4 children, Shelley (Tim) Sunday, Patrick “Packy” (Miyako) Ryan, Michael Ryan, and Ann (John) Donahue and 8 grandchildren Katherine, Kingsley, Nick, Rei, Patrick and Chisholm Ryan, Molly and Jack Donahue, nephews, Tim Folkes and Craig Chisholm, nieces, Angie Folkes and Molly (Folkes)Godar and Jill (Chisholm Thresher), sister in law Joyce Chisholm and brothers-in-law Tom Folkes and Keith Chisholm (Rowena). Preceding him in death were his parents and sisters Madeline Clausen, Doris Ryan, Teresa Ryan, Joanne Folkes, and a brother James Ryan. He began teaching in Manitou, Illinois in a one-room schoolhouse in 1938. He served in World War II in the Army Air Corp from 1942-1946. In 1946 Pat arrived in St. Joe and taught at Washington and Lincoln elementary schools for 13 years. In 1959 he began teaching and coaching at St. Joe Junior high and in 1965 he was promoted to principal of St. Joe Junior High (later named Milton Jr. High). He became Assistant Principal of St. Joseph High School in 1976 when Milton closed and retired 2 years later in 1978 after spending 32 years in the St. Joe public schools. In the fall of 1978 he came out of retirement and served at Principal and Athletic Director of Lake Michigan Catholic School. He retired in 1983 but soon realized he did not have many retirement skills. He missed working with the students and offered his services to the Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School as a counselor for 18 years finally retiring in 2001 after 63 years in education. He served this whole Community with numerous volunteer activities outside of education. Pat was president of St. Joe Little League Baseball, was a counselor and on the board of Birthright for 25 years. Received the Doctor Val award for outstanding service for Birth Right. Received the Margaret B. Upton Award for Outstanding Volunteer in Berrien County. He was inducted into the St. Joe High School Sports Hall of Fame 1994, named Laker of the Year by the Lake Michigan Catholic School Board, The St. Joseph School Board honored him in 2003 as an Outstanding Educator, he was honored by Fred Upton in the Congressional Record September 15, 2004. St. Joe High School has a scholarship in Mr. Ryan’s name. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to the Patrick H. Ryan Scholarship at St. Joe High School or to Birthright in St. Joe. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm, Sunday, February 24th at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, with Liturgical Prayers recited at 8:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, February 25 at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph. Pat touched so many people in so many ways. He lived his life according to his philosophy: “The greatest sporting event in the world is to place a bet on a child. You invest a few dollars in their education and presently they become a man or woman. You then have purchased a little slice of immortality!” MR. RYAN was one of a kind and we are all honored to have known such a great man. Even in his last days he was still an educator at heart – showing all of us around him what it was like to be ninety years of age and still capable of intelligence, gratefulness and dignity. He taught us until the end about love, family and faith. This man is a legend..