Obituary of James Larry Ryan

Ryan, James Larry – It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Larry, age 73 on Friday, November 17, 2023 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.

Larry was born in 1950 in Halifax, NS to the late Michael and Helen (Brown) Ryan.  He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 50 years, Judy (Rose), son; Brad (Angel), daughter; Rosalind (Jason) and predeceased by son David in 2015. Larry was a proud Poppy to his beloved grandchildren, Bradan, Matthew, Carter, Brooklyn, Jacob, Luke and Avery. He is also survived by his sisters; Jacqueline MacDonald, Ann Jardine, brother; Michael (Eleanor), mother-in-law; Phyllis Rose, daughter in law; Kendra, brothers in law; Lew (Gertie) Rose, Ron (Donna) Rose, Don (Ada) Rose, sisters in law; Ann (Hughie) Skinner, Sylvia Rose and many nieces and nephews.  Besides his parents and loving son David, Larry was predeceased by his father-in-law; Leonard Rose and his brother-in-law; Robert MacDonald.

Larry was employed at Stora Forest Industries for 35 years as a Journeyman (Red Seal) Sheet Metal worker.  He was chairman of the Pension Committee, Issue Clerk (Stores Department), Process Operator (Ground Wood) and Material Handler.  Larry was a past member of Mulgrave Town Council, Co-Chairman of the Mulgrave Medical Centre Board of Directors, the Mulgrave Recreation Commission, Minor Ball and he was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Parish Council.

Dad was passionate about gardening, feeding the birds, golfing, cooking, watching the Toronto Maple Leaf’s, Snoopy, doing jigsaw puzzles, and strolling along the beach with Judy in search of sea glass.  One of his greatest joys was teaching his grandkids to fish mackerel at the Mulgrave wharf.

We would like to send a sincere thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, Dr. Glenn Gallivan (family physician), Lindsey and Dr. Brake for their compassionate care.

Cremation has taken place.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 22 from 3:00 – 7:30 p.m. in Mulgrave and Area Resting Place, Mulgrave.  Funeral mass will be held on Thursday at 11a.m. at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Mulgrave with Father Allan MacPhie officiating.  Burial to follow in the parish cemetery.  A reception will follow the burial at Mulgrave Fire Hall.  Family flowers only.  Larry kindly requested that donations, if desired may be made to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) or a charity of your choice.

                                                                                   The Storyteller 

Larry was first and foremost, a storyteller. Blessed with the gift of gab, he could keep anyone amused for hours on end with his non-stop banter on topics ranging from his beloved hometown of Mulgrave to cars, politics, heat pumps, rainwater barrels, how best to smoke ribs, recipes for hummingbird food, and more. And his stories were like a motor revving up – slow to start with lots of background context – but once they got going, you would be hooked to the very end when he would deliver the punchline and break into laughter. And with each telling of the story, they got longer and longer, much to the chagrin of Judy who would always be in the background rolling her eyes and shaking her head. His face, which was so expressive, was always covered in a smile or a goofy look, ready with a witty comment about whatever topic was being discussed. Needless to say, after a visit with Larry, your ears would be ringing and your face sore from laughter – “you wouldn’t know whether to wind yer watch or steal third”. 

Larry knew everyone from Antigonish to Port Hawkesbury either by name or nickname and was a true example of a great neighbour. Kind, knowledgeable, and compassionate, he was always willing to help anyone with a task, large or small. He loved to have a laugh with others and play jokes on family or friends which would then be turned into one of his long-winded stories. He also loved to tell stories about his days at the Mill – it’s hard to know if they got any work done with all the fun they had.

Larry always became quiet in the evenings when he enjoyed his downtime on his computer. He loved to read and learn about everything and kept friends and family informed with news about the town or something happening in the world or with just a joke or funny photo. Everyone looked forward to their nightly message from Larry which would put a smile on their face before bed.

Larry was loved by so many and will be deeply missed, but he will live on in the stories that will now be told of him.

Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com