Francis Patrick Ryan (Frank)of Lansdale, PA passed away May 3, 2020, in Abington Hospital after being infected with the COVID-19 virus. Frank was born on Dec 27, 1927 in Wayne, Pa., to William A. Ryan and Victoria M. Ryan (nee Donnet). Frank is survived by his children, Patrick M. Ryan (Sheri Bregler Ryan) Hatboro, Pa., Victoria Ryan Sebastian (Ray Sebastian) Burlington, NC, Geraldine Ryan Washington (Michael Washington) Harrisburg, Pa., Matthew F. Ryan (Hillary Goodman Ryan), Dresher, Pa., Cathy Fahey Washington, N.J., Brian Fahey (Sarah Berkey Fahey), Hong Kong, and the late, Edward Ryan and Andrew Ryan (Lori Sablich Ryan). Both of his wives, Rita Molloy and Patricia Fahey predeceased him. He was the last surviving sibling of a family of eight brothers and two sisters,William A. S.J., James J. M.D., Joseph A., Philip A., John F., David I., Anthony J. and Eleanor Gillis and Margaret Vickers.
Frank grew up in Wayne, Pa., where he attended the nearby Waldron Academy for Boys in Merion. Later Frank attended Campion Jesuit High School located in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. He then attended Villanova University for a year before enlisting in the US Army during WWII. Upon completion of his service to country, he re-enrolled at Villanova University under the GI Bill, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
Frank married Rita Malloy Ryan on June 14, 1949, and together they moved to Radnor, Pa., where they began raising a family of six children, Patrick Michael, Victoria Donnet, Matthew Francis, Geraldine Anne, and the late, Andrew James and Edward Anthony.
After completing his education Frank worked for a short time in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then moved back to Pennsylvania and went to work for Leeds & Northrup Co. in North Wales. He worked for L&N for 40 years as an Electrical Engineer, influential in the development of Control Systems for Power Generation Companies. After his retirement from Leeds & Northrup Co. he worked as a senior consultant for Applied Controls Systems. Frank was the 2003 recipient of the prestigious POWID (Power Industry) Achievement Award.
Frank and his family lived in Montgomery County in the Greater Philadelphia area for over 50 years, including Horsham, Pa., and finally settled in Lansdale Pa. During that time, he was a member of St Joseph’s RC Church in Warrington, St Catherine of Siena RC Church in Horsham and St Stanislaus RC Church in Lansdale, since 1989. As a member of St. Catherine of Siena and St Stanislaus, Frank volunteered his services as a Lector and at St Stanislaus as a Eucharistic Minister.
After his first wife Rita’s death in 1984, Frank met and married Patricia Fahey on October 1, 1988, at St Stanislaus and Patricia’s two children (and their families) enriched his family, Cathy Fahey and Brian Fahey (Sarah Berkey Fahey). Frank and Patricia met at a support group called New Beginnings sharing many things in common. They remained together in Lansdale, PA until Patricia’s death in 1998.
Frank had many interests. He was an avid life-long reader, enjoying many novels on US History, focusing on Civil War and WWII. As a young man Frank enjoyed participating in boxing. When it came to sports Frank enjoyed baseball and football. The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t have a bigger fan. The Philadelphia Eagles were also high on Frank’s list of sports teams.
Frank was generous with his time and besides volunteering with his church, he volunteered with other organizations, including The Boy Scouts of America, and Reading Association for the Blind. Additionally, he tutored students at North Penn High School in math, he helped senior citizens with their taxes at H&R Block, he taught at Montgomery County Community College. Frank also was a member and volunteer for a support group called New Beginnings. During Frank’s career with L&N he was also a long-time member of the Toast Masters, promoting communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
Traveling around the world was one of Frank’s greatest pleasures. After his retirement, he made extended trips to places across the globe including Beijing, Normandy, Israel, Seoul, Geneva, Switzerland, and a Cruise on the Danube to Budapest, Hungary!
Frank is survived by 6 of his Children: Patrick M Ryan (Sheri Bregler Ryan) Hatboro, Pa,, Victoria Ryan Sebastian (Ray Sebastian)Burlington, N.C., Geraldine Ryan Washington (Michael Washington) Harrisburg, Pa., Matthew F Ryan (Hillary Goodman Ryan) Dresher, Pa., Cathy Fahey Washington, N.J., Brian Fahey (Sarah Berkey Fahey) Hong Kong. 15 Grandchildren: Christopher P Ryan (Rachel Ferrante Ryan) Perkasie, Pa., Timothy M Ryan (Stephanie Paternostro Ryan) Richlandtown, Pa., Jonathon M Ryan (Danielle Slaby Ryan) Buena Vista, CO, Nathaniel A Ryan (Sarah Bratman Ryan) Hanover, Pa., Daniel Sebastian Washington, D.C., Samuel Sebastian Burlington, NC, Jacob Sebastian Washington, D.C., Carl Terwilliger (Marianna Terwilliger) Orlando, FL, Melissa Terwilliger, Caitlin Ryan, Peter Ryan, Lindsey Wyglendowski Gibson (Cassidy Gibson) Washington, N.J., Nicole Wyglendowski, Philadelphia, PA, Connor Fahey, Hong Kong, Hayden Fahey, Hong Kong. 8 Great Grandchildren: Patrick J Ryan, Alice M Ryan, Kallie M Ryan, Brenna M Ryan, Margaret S Ryan, Odin T Ryan, Caleb Koelker, Carissa Koelker. Frank was also very close to many loving Nieces and Nephews, Great and Great-Great Nieces and Nephews.
He is predeceased by two wives: Rita Theresa Malloy Ryan and Patricia Fahey Ryan; children: Andrew James Ryan and Edward Anthony Ryan; siblings: Eleanor R Gillis, William A Ryan S.J., James J Ryan M.D. Joseph A Ryan, Philip A Ryan, John F Ryan, Margaret R Vickers, David I Ryan, Anthony J Ryan
Service is private – Mass will be live-streamed Friday May 08, 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena RC Church – Mass is being celebrated by Father Sean English of St Stanislaus in Lansdale, Pa. Live Link for Funeral Mass. https://youtu.be/N5eZHpxfqJk
No Visitation due to the COVID-19 virus. Interment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in West Conshohocken, Pa. Condolences may be left on this website. Please send video condolences to creation@dca.net with Frank Ryan in the subject line.
Arrangements made by Simcox-Mcilvane Funeral Home – Lansdale, Pa.
For More information please contact PMR001@aol.com
In Lieu of Flowers please consider the following Memorial donations in memory of Francis P Ryan:
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation
(Serving Children)
3401 Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267-426-5332)
https://www.chop.edu/
Gary Sinise Foundation
(Serving Veterans)
PO Box 368
Woodland Hills, CA 91365
(888-708-7757)
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/
Villanova University, his alma mater
(Supporting Higher Education)
800 Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA 19085
(610-519-4500)
https://www1.villanova.edu/university/give.html
So sorry for the family’s loss. I worked with Frank at Leeds and Northrup and enjoyed coming to the reunions that he held every 6 months at a restaurant. Always a smiling nice person.
A beautiful service for an amazing man! It was a pleasure to know him while volunteering doing AARP tax preparation at The Peak center in Lansdale. Will especially miss him at the after-tax luncheon – we all always had such stimulating conversations! Rest in peace, Frank. Hugs.
To the Ryan and Fahey family,
May today be a fond celebration for a man who admirably served our country and kept everyone on their toes with his banter and infectious laugh. Francis was certainly one of a kind and I enjoyed his company during family celebrations with Pat and Sheri. May your years of cherished memories not only bring you comfort but warm your hearts with joy.
Thinking of you all…
With love,
Kris
Dear Uncle Pat, Aunt Sheri, and Cousins,
I am sorry the world has a lost a man who always seemed to have a sparkle in his eye. In the times I was in his presence, he was witty and fun while also demonstrating a deep love for his family.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Love,
Jarrett