If life was a patchwork quilt created from our experiences, Joyce and Ed Ryan’s journey together would be a wonderfully warm blanket with layers of love for their family and friends.
Edmond J Ryan, 86, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 28, 2021. Eleven weeks later, on June 14th, his beloved wife Joyce C. Ryan, 80, followed him into heaven. Married a month shy of 58 years, Ed and Joyce were longtime residents of Greenwich, CT.
Ed, born in Greenwich in 1935, proudly served in the US Navy from 1954-1958 returning home to work as an electrical engineer at Electrolux. His destiny would be forever changed at a New Year’s party where he met the love of his life, Joyce Carle. They danced their way through courting and decided to weave their Irish Catholic and Scottish Presbyterian heritage and on All Saints Day (the day after Halloween), Ed asked for Joyce’s hand in marriage at St. Mary’s Church on Greenwich Avenue. They married April 20, 1963. His story of their life together is, “Joyce got tricked, and I got treated!” He had a quick wit, a twinkle in his eye and was a loving, welcoming presence. A career in sales with Bolling-Ryan Inc. allowed Ed to provide for his family and honored his gift of never having met a stranger. Ed loved the sea and spent endless hours fishing, boating and sailing. His complimentary interest in conservation allowed him to support the needs of the community, cleaning up Long Island Sound, building osprey nests in Ocean Pines, and working to build a butterfly garden in Herons Glen.
Joyce began her life in Caldwell, NJ and moved to Stamford, CT where she graduated from Stamford High School. She was a committed wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend. Being a dedicated member and volunteer of First Presbyterian Church in Greenwich gave her heart a purpose beyond the walls of their loving home. Joyce also worked for Moore Center for Rehabilitation in Darien as well as volunteered at Greenwich Hospital. She was kind, joyful, positive and had the ability to successfully host a gathering of friends or family at a moment’s notice and make it something extra special! Deeply loved by all, Joyce will be remembered as a loyal and loving Nani, mother, aunt and dear friend.
Joyce and Ed also cultivated a peaceful existence in Luquillo, Puerto Rico where they enjoyed many sunsets with family and friends on the lanai of their waterfront condo. They loved their life on the water, and in 2004, moved to Ocean Pines, MD, wintering in North Ft. Myers, FL. Joyce and Ed made lifelong relationships by including everyone when hosting full moon parties, game nights and long “happy” hours. They had the ability together to light up the room with joy, much laughter and warm smiles.
Ed and Joyce will be forever missed by their daughters Debby Gallagher (Michael), Kathryn Ryan, their son Tom Ryan (Wendi) and 5 grandchildren, Jack and Will Gallagher, Emilie and Abigail Ryan and Kaiya Ryan. The family finds peace knowing that Joyce and Ed couldn’t live without each other and are once again dancing together in heaven.
A celebration of life is scheduled at the First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m.
