Richard J. "Rick" Ryan

Richard J. “Rick” Ryan, 69, of Enola, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at his residence. He was the son of the late Joseph and Nora (Wynne) Ryan, born on September 12, 1953 in Pottsville.

Rick was a 1971 graduate of Nativity B.V.M High School, Pottsville, and went on to serve four years in the U.S. Navy. He would live in Minersville before moving to Central PA, settling in Enola. He held positions with Western Union, Jetson Direct Mail and Highmark/Blue Shield before settling in at the U.S. Post Office, retiring after 15 years with the maintenance division at the Crooked Hill Road location in Harrisburg.

Rick was kind and soft spoken – unless defending the 2nd Amendment – and he enjoyed nothing more than being a father. He always embraced his kids’ interests, getting them custom hunting bows, elaborate kites, tickets to “Aladdin on Ice” in Hershey, and even a pet bird. He loved sweets and chocolates, but nothing beat a Tastykake. He was fun and goofed around, but extremely well-read, especially when it came to history and non-fiction. Rick was a firearm enthusiast and a coffee junky; five cups a day was typical, and he was particular in taste.

He was a member of the Mechanicsburg Sportsmen’s Association and spent a great deal of time there, and he was a formidable Rummy 500 opponent. He taught all his kids (well, maybe 2 out of 3) how to change a tire, and he remained a confidant and source of knowledge as they grew. He was raised Catholic, attending both St. Theresa and Our Lady of Lourdes while living in this area, and he always felt comfortable talking to God, praying for his family and others daily. A lifelong Phillies fan, his family finds comfort in knowing that he saw his team get to the postseason for the first time in 11 years. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Surviving Rick are his children, Jessica M. Bagnull (Steven Bagnull) of Ambler, Joseph A. Ryan (Dr. Laura Shuff) of Mechanicsburg, and Alison W. Ryan (Luke Benedict) of Conshohocken; two grandchildren, Isaac and Eliza; brothers, Daniel Ryan (Constance Ryan) and Joseph Ryan (Carol Ryan), both of Pottsville; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM on Friday, October 14, 2022 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland. Burial will follow at 1PM in Schuylkill County, where he will be laid to rest alongside his parents in St. Kieran’s Catholic Cemetery No. 2, 113 Llewellyn Road, Pottsville, PA 17901.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Rick’s name to the Bethesda Mission, PO Box 3041, Harrisburg, PA 17105.