Obituary of Michael J. Ryan

Michael John Ryan (February 7, 1965- March 12, 2025)

Michael John Ryan, 60, of New York, NY passed away at home on March 12, 2025 after a long illness. He was born on February 7, 1965 in New York, NY.

In his too brief life he touched countless lives with his warmth, generous spirit and genuine love of connecting with others. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by the many residents he helped throughout his more than three decades of employment with Columbia University, where his care for people and community extended well beyond his job description. 

He is survived and beloved by his older siblings Thomas, Kathleen and Steven, his sister-in-law Eileen (née O’Connell) and his cherished niece and nephew, Megan and Sean, as well as many cousins and friends, all of whom will dearly miss his bright light, enormous heart of gold, and his wry wit and contagious laugh which filled the room with his love of life.

Michael John was predeceased by his parents, Thomas Patrick and Mary Kathleen Ryan, who raised him in the Corpus Christi R.C. parish in Manhattan, surrounded by a large extended family which included his beloved grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was a proud graduate of Power Memorial High School.

A man of many talents and interests, Michael John was a talented and enthusiastic drummer and a lifelong “dyed in the wool” New York Mets fan. An avid gardener, he was very proud of the community garden he created which was one of many ways he gave back to the community.

Family will receive guests on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 3pm to 7pm at Riverdale Funeral Home, 5044 Broadway NY NY 10034.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 10:00am at Corpus Christi Catholic Church 529 West 121st Street, New York City, NY 10027

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery 49-02 Laurel Hill Blvd Woodside, NY 11377