Stephen Ryan

Stephen M. “Steve” Ryan, 68, of South Broad Street, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer. His loving family was by his side.

Born May 4, 1949, in Norwich, Steve was the son of Michael W. and Catherine (Rogers) Ryan. He attended Holy Family School and the Norwich City Schools. Though he graduated from the Schenectady schools, he was always considered a part of the Norwich Class of 1967. After high school, Steve was called to serve in Vietnam for the US Army from 1968-1970. After his honorable discharge, he completed a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Louis, in Missouri. Later in life, he completed coursework toward a master’s degree in business administration from Utica College.

For most of his career, Steve worked in the telecommunications engineering and information technology fields, which took him to Norwich, Vermont, Virginia, Missouri, and other places of work and residence. He ended his working life in the IT field at EBS-RMSCO, in Syracuse.

Steve was a communicant of St. Paul’s parish, and an active member of the local Knights of Columbus council, which he led for a period of time. He was also a Eucharistic minister at St. Paul’s. Steve enjoyed conducting services at Preston Manor nursing home for the residents.

On November 29, 1975, at the Church of St. Bartholomew, in Norwich, Steve married the love of his life, Andrea (Lasswell) Ryan, who survives. Some of the most joyful times of Steve’s life were to drive, on a whim, to whatever location in the Northeast he and Andrea decided upon at that moment. He also traveled to the Grand Canyon and the site of the “Four Corners” with his brother, Will. Steve also looked forward to his weekly visits with Will to Dave's Dairy Treat in Cincinnatus. Over the years, he also was fond of, and owned, vintage automobiles, including his 1958 MG. Steve also enjoyed playing golf, wood-working, gardening, amateur photography, and becoming familiar with the latest technologies of all sorts. He also dabbled with donut-making.

In addition to his wife, Steve is survived by his son, Andrew, of VA; siblings David (Gail) Ryan of CT, Karen Erickson, of MA, and H. Wilbur (Sharon) Ryan, of Norwich; “favorite” mother-in-law Connie Lasswell, sisters-in-law Bernadette (Paul) Jackson, and Gina (Bruce) Williams, each of Norwich, Rosalind (John) Toshach, of GA, and Sherry Lasswell, of NC. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. He was predeceased by brothers-in-law John Erickson and Martin Lasswell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 4, 2017, at the Church of St. Paul, where the Rev. Ralph A. Bove, pastor, will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.