Eric Alphonsus Ryan, 94, Mulgrave, NS passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by family members. Eric was born in Mulgrave to parents Clement and Bridget (Watt) Ryan on November 10, 1922. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Anna (DeCoste) along with his twelve children; Ron (Kathy) Ryan, Ottawa, John (Bev) Ryan, Scottsdale, AZ, Linda (Loren) Cushing, Yarmouth, Kevin (Cathy) Ryan, Calgary, Sharon (Michael) MacDonald, Tumbler Ridge, BC, Dennis (Linda) Ryan, Dartmouth, Basil (Linda) Ryan, Mulgrave, Jenny (Donovan) Cunningham, Yarmouth, Debbie (Darrell) Hadley, Mulgrave, Bruce (Roxanne) Ryan, Corner Brook, Karen (Ben) Lundrigan, Mulgrave and Craig (Rhonda) Ryan, Mulgrave. Also left to remember Eric is one surviving brother Robert (Bobby) Ryan, North Sydney and sisters Theresa MacDonald, North Sydney and Joan Hurry, Ottawa. Grampie leaves behind 31 grandchildren and 17 great-grand children. He is predeceased by both parents and brothers Earl, Miles, James, Foster and sisters Aileen (Power) and Laura (MacDonald) and grandchildren Breanna Lundrigan, Jason Ryan and son-in-law Michael MacDonald. Affectionately known as DoDo, our Dad lived a long and very productive life. He managed his affairs based on hard work, honesty and having faith in Catholicism. To reinforce his deep faith one of his favorite saying was "God bless you". He was a man of solid principles and values in life and he always encouraged us to do better. His intellect was keen and he was a strong advocate of the value of education. Dad had instilled in all of us that family came first and that hard work will never hurt anyone. Dad participated in public service virtually all his life; first through military service in the Royal Canadian Navy onboard HMCS Chegobue, then as Captain on the car ferries that plied the Strait of Canso. When the ferries stopped operating, Dad spent the next 27 years working for Dept of Highways at the Canso Causeway Tolls where he retired as a Supervisor. Dad was the last Second World War veteran in Mulgrave and he was a legion member for many years as well as a 34-year veteran of the Mulgrave Volunteer Fire Department. Although Dad retired from his day job, he continued to fish lobster until he was 82. Visitation will be at the Mulgrave and Area Resting Place on Wednesday, November 30th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral mass will be at St. Lawrence Parish with Father Allan MacPhie officiating on Thursday December 1st at 11 am. Family flowers only please. Memorial donations can be made to the Mulgrave and Area Resting Place or a charity of your choice. A debt of gratitude is expressed and extended to all caregivers, especially the folks from Continuing Care that helped make Dad’s latter days comfortable and dignified. A special thank you to the Palliative Care Team of Dr. Philip Cooper and his family physician, Dr. Glenn Gallivan. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Homes, Port Hawkesbury. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Wednesday, November 30, 2016 Visitation Time 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Visitation Location Mulgrave and Area Resting Place, Mulgrave Service Information Service Date Thursday, December 1, 2016 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Mulgrave Burial Information Burial Date Thursday, December 1, 2016 Burial Time Following funeral mass Burial Location St. Lawrence Parish Cemetery, Mulgrave