Thomas Richard Ryan was born on September 21, 1923, to Helen and Thomas Ryan. He grew up between two sisters, Virginia and Beatrice, in Brooklyn, New York, where they witnessed and withstood the height of the Great Depression.
As a young man, he developed resilience, exuded kindness and cultivated a heart for service, always helping out at home and taking care of his family. His service extended into his adulthood when he enlisted in the Army at 20 years old, fighting for freedom in the South Pacific during World War II.
Upon returning from the war, athletic, smart and full of potential, Tom attended St. Lawrence University where he played football. Following his undergraduate experience, he pursued his Juris Doctor at Albany Law School, eventually becoming a member of the New York State Bar.
He then began a prolific, lifelong career in commercial real estate development, which he refused to retire from until he was 94 years old. His work brought him to California in 1960, with his wife who he had met while he was lifeguarding on Jones Beach, Long Island, and his three young boys, Thomas Jr., Kerry and David.
Tom was passionate about his work, he loved his children and grandchildren consistently and immensely, and he was a man of many interests, many talents, and of great character. He lived out his days traveling, biking and hiking through entire countries, walking along the beach, swimming in the ocean, reading countless books, publishing children’s stories, and remaining wholly devoted to those he loved.
No amount of words could justly describe the fullness of the nearly 100 years that Tom lived, but those that were able to bear witness to his life were truly blessed.
He is survived by two of his sons, Thomas Jr. and David, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren (with one more on the way).
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