William Alexander Ryan

Life has been a great journey but I’ve hit a rough stretch and my body has taken a different route.

I was predeceased by brothers: Dewey Myers, John Ryan and sisters: Edith Mae (Johnny Jobes and Sandy MacInnis), Christine (Rollie Ingraham), Bessie, Wilma (Bill MacNeil), Bernadette (George MacIntyre).

I am survived by my wife Mary Anne, my son Aaron, my sisters Shirley Harrison (Peter), Paula Currie (Wayne), Cindy MacLean (Bobby) plus many nieces and nephews.

My parents, Willie and Peggy (Meyers) Ryan, raised me and my siblings, seven sisters and a brother, on a small farm on Boularderie Island in Cape Breton.

I attended a one room school house until grade eight and then off to Baddeck for high school. Quite a change but I really enjoyed it. A lot of choices to make and many friends were made. I was even able to play organized sports.

I joined the military in Dec. 1968. I did training in HMCS Gloucester then CFS Leitrim (near Ottawa) where I met a wonderful girl named Mary Anne. It was Love at First Sight. We married in 1970 and we had a beautiful son named Aaron. My other postings included two six month tours to Alert NWT, CFB Masset (Queen Charlotte Islands, BC), CFB Kingston and CFS Carp (Ontario).

After 17 years, I needed a change and went to work at Communication Security Establishment with National Defense in Ottawa. After 17 years there, I retired in 2003 with 34 years service with National Defense.

I moved back to Boularderie with my wife Mary Anne to the family farm property where I grew up. I truly enjoyed the return. We had a beautiful view of Bras d’or lake and great neighbors. When I developed a few cancers we moved to Westmount – 10 min. from the hospital. Between Palliative care, VON, my loving wife and son, I was very well taken care of. I stayed positive and kept out of trouble.

That is my basic story. I read a few self-written obits and liked the idea.

I have chosen to be cremated and to have a Celebration of Life which will take place at the Sydney Mines Legion, 769 Main Street on Saturday March 15, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m..
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Alexander Ryan, please visit our floral store.