John D. Ryan

John Donald Ryan passed away on Sunday September 20, 2015.  He was born March 15, 1955 in Ohio and was predeceased by his parents John Francis Ryan and Barbara Gardner Ryan.  He is survived by his partner of sixteen years Erin Pfeifer of Catonsville Maryland, his sister Deborah Brancato of Kingwood Texas, his nephew Brandon Becker of Texas, and nephews Jack and Beau Pfeifer of Pennsylvania.

John grew up in Ohio and Pennsylvania and eventually settled in the Baltimore area, residing in Catonsville for the past twelve years.

For many years John worked with the homeless of Baltimore City.  As a case worker he helped connect those in need with shelter, food, and treatment centers.  He felt acutely the needs of all and tried always to treat everyone with dignity and compassion.

A great friend to all who knew him, John could be counted on whenever anyone was in trouble.  If only just to talk or vent one’s frustrations John was there to listen.

John prided himself on his gardening skills, he rarely knew the names of the flowers his girlfriend chose to plant but he always took great care of them through the summer.   A perfectionist he would go to great lengths to make sure every flower bed was precise.  He enjoyed holidays - especially Halloween, creating a haunted tableau in his front yard and dressing up to scare trick-or-treaters.

A great lover of animals he will be missed terribly by his cats and by the wildlife he provided for – birds, squirrels, raccoons, and deer.

There were a great many events John and Erin attended together every year – the Scottish Games, the Maryland State Fair, the Renaissance Festival.  John loved them all and they will not be the same without him.

John was an excellent cook, forced to learn by necessity as his girlfriend is an abysmal cook (excepting desserts) he rose to the challenge and created dishes better than most restaurants.  His roast chicken and country fried steak, in particular, were superb.

In 2003 John received a heart transplant.  He was infinitely grateful to the donor and his family for their selfless act in giving a further chance at life to so many others.  He was also grateful for the work of the transplant team at Johns Hopkins and especially the transplant coordinators who saw him through many years of both good health and bad.

In remembrance of John please consider organ donation.

John was loved dearly and will be missed by many.

A memorial luncheon to celebrate John’s life will be held at Shannon's Saloon 9338 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043 Saturday October 10, 2015 from 2-4pm>