Rev. John Thomas Ryan, CSV, who served for many years in Las Vegas, died Wednesday evening, June 15, 1977, at Vegas Valley Convalescent Center. Father Ryan died at the age of 79 in the 56th year of his religious life and in the 47th year of his priesthood. Father Ryan, the son of Joseph R. Ryan and Helen Johnson Ryan, was born February 20, 1898, in Danforth, Illinois.
Father Ryan attended St. Viator High School and St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, Illinois. He entered the Clerics of St. Viator in 1921. He made his profession of vows on August 15, 1921, and studied for the priesthood at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest on May 31, 1931.
He began his teaching career in 1931 in Lemont, Illinois, and subsequently taught at Cathedral Boys’ High School in Springfield, Illinois; at St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf in New York City, New York; and at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York.
From 1950 to 1952 he was Director of Scholastics for the Viatorian Community, first in Davenport, Illinois, and then in Chicago, Illinois. Father Ryan twice served on the Provincial Council of the American Province of the Viatorian Community, from 1942-1945, and from 1952-1954 he served as Assistant Provincial.
In 1955, Father Ryan came to Las Vegas to teach at Bishop Gorman High School, and subsequently served as Dean of Studies at the school.
After his retirement he was in residence for many years at St. Viator’s Parish, and in the last few years of his life, resided at Vegas Valley Convalescent Home. Father Ryan served as chaplain for the Catholic Daughters of America and the Knights of Columbus.
A wake was held at Guardian Angel Cathedral, Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, June 19, 1977, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
A funeral Mass for Father Ryan was concelebrated on Monday morning at 10 a.m., June 20, 1977 in the Cathedral of the Guardian Angel Shrine. A funeral liturgy was also celebrated at St. Viator Church, Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, June 21, 1977, at 11:00 a.m.
Burial was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.
Please remember Father Ryan in your Masses and prayers.
Taken from a Provincial letter from Rev. Kenneth Morris, CSV and The Monitor, Nevada, dated June 23, 1977