Ryan
The Ryan Foundation was founded in memory of Ronald H. Ryan, a loving father and native Staten Islander, whose lifelong goal was to hand down a better life to the next generation. Whether it be Ron Ryan the soldier, who was always at the ready to serve and protect his nation and local community or Ron Ryan the colleague who mentored and led by example or Ron Ryan, the patriarch, whose life c
entered around his family, Mr. Ryan ensured he handed down his knowledge, skills and core beliefs to the next generation. Ryan always showed leadership, caring and a high degree of knowledge with the ability to over-achieve. Ronald H. Ryan was born in 1938 in Staten Island, NY to Joseph and Marion Ryan, living his entire life on Staten Island. He went to St. Peter’s Boys High School, graduating in 1956. MSgr. Joseph Farrell, the Principal of St. Peter’s, signed his diploma. Upon graduating, Mr. Ryan attended the College of Insurance and started working at Monarch Insurance Company in Manhattan. There, he met and was married to Angela M. Forbes by MSgr. Flanagan at a ceremony in St. Clare. The Ryan’s then settled in Great Kills, on Keegans Lane, and started a family. Throughout his life, Mr. Ryan was very active in the community, especially in his parish of St. Clare where he was involved in several activities to include serving as an usher at Mass, working booths at annual Irish and Italian festivals, being an active member of the St. Clare’s Men’s Club and chaperoning Boy Scout trips for Troop 41. In keeping with Catholic tradition of service, Mr. Ryan was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus Assumption Council ( #1662) for 40 years. Also core to Mr. Ryan was his service to our country as a member of the 101st Cavalry, New York Army National Guard on Staten Island, where, after 36 years, he achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Throughout his military career, Sergeant Ryan received many awards including the Meritorious Service Medal. He served his community, state and country with distinction, leading operations and intelligence functions during the 1979 Correctional Officer’s strike, numerous disaster relief efforts and countless readiness and training exercises. Mr. Ryan always took pride in the leadership, mentorship and education provided by the Catholic Schools on Staten Island, in particular, his parish of St. Clare and MSgr. Farrell High School, where he sent his son, who graduated in 1984 from St. Clare and 1988 from MSgr. Farrell. Upon his death, Mr. Ryan’s estate established The Ryan Foundation, a charitable organization founded in his honor. The Ryan Foundation’s mission is to advance the education of promising young leaders who excel in academics, athletics and the arts and are active in their community. The Foundation believes that all exceptionally talented students will excel academically when given the resources to develop their talents. Specifically, The Ryan Foundation will benefit students who attend MSgr. Farrell High School. As The Ryan Foundation receives additional donations, they will be placed in an annuity fund, earning interest until the funds are used. These donations will be aggregated with other donations in order to maximize financial investment returns. Farrell High School will administer the bookkeeping for the foundation and reports to the foundation’s director annually. Ronald J. Ryan (Farrell ’88), Mr. Ryan’s son acts as the Foundation’s Director. Richard S. Ryan (Farrell ’97) and Michael J. Ryan (Farrell ’00), nephews of Mr. Ryan, are also Foundation Members. Each year, the foundation will award scholarships to one or more students who have chosen to attend Msgr. The criteria for determining the scholarship are centered on a triad of key qualities that Mr. Ryan believed was the make-up of a well-rounded person: Leadership Activities, Scholastic Excellence and involvement in extra-curricular activities such as Athletics and the Arts. Anyone wishing to donate to the foundation can send checks payable to Msgr Farrell High School with “The Ryan Foundation” in the memo of the check to 589 Winne Avenue, Oradell, NJ, 07649. Donations are tax deductible.
