RYAN, William Lionel “Billy”

Age 89, Bridgewater, Lunenburg Co., passed away peacefully at Ryan Hall, Bridgewater, on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Born in West Gore, Hants Co., he was a son of the late Lionel A. Ryan formerly of Halifax, Barrister and Solicitor and Muriel Orene (MacEwan) Ryan, formerly of West Gore. Bill graduated with a B.A. from St. Mary’s University; a B.Ed and M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Montreal; M.A. in Philosophy of Education from McGill University; PhD in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa. In 1949 he received a commission in the Infantry Corps, followed in 1950-51 by training recruits at Camp Borden, Ontario and officer cadets at La Citadelle, PQ. From 1951-1959 he taught for the Montreal Catholic School Commission. From 1959-1970, he taught for the Quebec Department of Education at St. Joseph Teachers College. From 1970-1991 he taught at McGill University, PQ. He retired in 1991 and returned to his home province of Nova Scotia. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Helen (Burgess) Ryan; five children, Lionel (Laura) Ryan, Kingston, Ont.; Anthony (Lisa) Ryan, West Vancouver; Catherine (Raymond) Doucet, Kingston, Ont.; Sandra Ryan and Beverly Ryan, both of Chateauguay, Que.; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Carmen Stewart, Bridgewater; Karl Stewart, Pointe-Claire, Que.; sister, Patricia (Patrick) Berrigan, Dartmouth; sister-in-law, Hazel Ryan, Berwick; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Carl. No visitation at the funeral home by request. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, November 9 in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Bridgewater with Father Jim MacDonald, OMI, officiating. Private family burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Philips Street, Bridgewater. Family flowers only, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater where on-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.