Daniel Joseph Ryan Jr., 82, beloved husband of Joan (Kellerstrass) Ryan for 55 years, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, surrounded by family at Hartford Hospital. Born in Astoria, N.Y., on November 18, 1941, he was the son of the late Daniel, Sr. and Julia (Ducker) Ryan.
Dan graduated from Holy Cross High School Class of 1959. After graduating high school, he left home to become a brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. Edward’s University in Texas and a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Wesleyan University where he met and later married his wife, Joan.
Dan dedicated his life to serving others, and he believed deeply in the importance of education. His teaching career spanned 58 years, and he made an impact on thousands of students and colleagues. He taught in several schools in Connecticut, New York and Rome, Italy, before he maintained a position at Masuk High School in Monroe.
During his 37 years there, he taught mathematics and ran the summer school program. Dan was Head of the Math Department, and he was a driving force in bringing computers into the classroom at Masuk and schools throughout Connecticut.
He was named Monroe’s Teacher of the Year in 1990 for his leadership and dedication to his profession. Upon retirement, he became an adjunct Professor of Calculus at Fairfield University for an additional 15 years.
Dan was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of Saint John Church in Cromwell. He held many roles in its community, including Eucharist Minister, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, member of the Parish Council, and participant in the Perpetual Prayer Team.
Dan was also active in the Cromwell community including serving as Board President of Phase I of Cromwell Hills and as a member of the Cromwell Education Foundation.
Dan was a sports fanatic. He loved all sports, especially collegiate athletics. His favorite teams were Notre Dame and UConn. For many years, he held season tickets to both men’s and women’s basketball and UConn football. He spent many Saturdays in the fall cooking up a feast for his friends while tailgating at Rentschler Field.
A native of New York, Dan was also a lifelong Mets and Giants fan. He never left a game before it was over, even if his team was down.
Above all else, Dan loved his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Along with his wife, Dan is survived by his daughter Kathy Ryan and her partner David Boutin of Glastonbury; son, Daniel J. Ryan, III and his wife Alex of Camas, Wash.; two sisters, Madeleine Ryan and dear friend Cathy DeSantis of Port Washington, N.Y., and Theresa Lentino of Elmont, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Bridget and Emerson Ryan and three bonus grandchildren, Jared, Lacey and Piper Boutin.
He also adored his many nieces, nephews, and their children. Besides his parents, Dan was predeceased by his sister Patricia Kaplan and two brothers-in-law Jason Kaplan and Steven Lentino.
The Ryan family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Montano Wellness, Middlesex Oncology, Hartford Hospital Center 12, and the Residence at Ferry Park who provided him with support and care throughout his illness.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 9 a.m. at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main St., Cromwell, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint John Church, 5 Saint John Court, Cromwell. A burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.
Family and friends may call on Monday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cromwell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.
To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit doolittlefuneralservice.com.
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
