A Life Well Lived – John Ryan

Posted on October 31, 2017 · Posted in TMTA Flash

A Life Well Lived – John Ryan

We are saddened by the news of the passing of John Ryan. He was a well known member of the maritime community and an advocate of the Port of Virginia.
Rest in Peace, John.

John Morgan Ryan

Virginia Beach – A lawyer was born in 1936 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1958 and from The University of Virginia Law School in 1963. He was a lackluster student. He served two years as an officer in the U. S. Army. He was a member of many organizations, clubs, etc. He founded the Norfolk Rugby Club in 1963.

John Ryan is survived by his wife, Simone Chretien Ryan, a beautiful French woman whom he loved and adored and without whom he could have not existed. He is also survived by his six wonderful children, M. Gary Ryan, Elizabeth Houston Ryan, John Morgan Ryan, Jr., Mark S. Bridges, Vanessa Ann Bridges, Laura M. Ryan Garibay; and eight grandchildren, Isabel Laterzo, Lily Kopp, Charlie Kopp, Jack Ryan, Nicholas Ryan, Chloe Bridges, Luke Bridges, and Phoebe Bridges, all of whom are loved dearly. John was predeceased by his mother, Vivian Louise Van Loon whose love, faith, and encouragement enabled his to succeed and appreciate the beauty of the human spirit. John treasured Shakespeare, Virginia, the sea and the men who go up upon it, rugby football, gardening, martinis, good art, his dogs, Lily, Tulip, Daisy, and Maggie, his friends, some of his partners, and all of his clients. He was grateful to God for a full life and the privilege of servicing the Law.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2017 in the Laskin Road Chapel of H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad (www.vbvrs.org/donate). Online condolences may be sent to www.hdoliver.com.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on Oct. 18, 2017