1935 – 2014

LEWISTON — Thomas “Tom” Donald Ryan, 79, of Leeds passed away tragically Saturday, Sept. 27.

He was born in Boston on March 17, 1935, the son of Gordon and Clara Nicholson Ryan. Tom attended schools in Marshfield, Mass., and Monmouth. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

Tom cared deeply for his love of the outdoors and his dogs, which predeceased him. Tom had a unique love for life and was very independent. He was a passionate man who took pride in playing horseshoes and dropping an occasional tree with his son, Donald J. Ryan.

He also had a love for metal detecting, which he did with his sidekick, Gary, his nephew. He loved sharing the joys of his rare finds, walking in the woods with his dogs, tending to his flower garden and scratch tickets. Tom helped many of his family and friends with his outward knowledge of carpentry, electrical issues, plumbing … You could say he was a “Jack of all Trades.”

Tom leaves behind his son, Donald J. Ryan and his wife, Judy Hagan-Ryan; his step-granddaughter, Aimee Sinclair and her husband, Dan; his great-granddaughters, Miriam, Courtney and Olivia Sinclair; his loving sisters, Katherine Ryan Chadburn and her husband, Paul, of Leeds, Claire Ryan Hannon of Danville, N.H., and Miriam Ryan Charlton of Leeds; and his brothers, Robert ‘Bob’ Ryan of Mechanic Falls and Richard “Richie” Ryan of Lincolnville. Tom will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, as well as many family members and friends.

He is predeceased by his brothers, John Ryan of Monmouth and Charlie Ryan, of Waco, Texas; his mother and father; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Tom’s body and soul have left us, but his heart remains here with us all, always.