Obituaries

Joseph William Ryan, Jr., 65

May 29, 2019

Joseph William Ryan, Jr., 65, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Hospice & Community Care after a brief battle with a sudden illness.

Joe was born on January 1, 1954 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Chester, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph W. and Helen Marjorie (Reese) Ryan. He attended St. James Catholic High School in Chester and graduated from West Chester University with a degree in political science. During college Joe met Jeanne (Harriger) Ryan of Lancaster and the two married in the fall of 1975. After college they settled in Lancaster and in 1981 Joe and three partners formed Red Rose Interior, Inc. Joe proudly served as the President of the local construction company from 1981 through 2019.

In addition to spending time with his family and RRI, Joe enjoyed playing golf, traveling, and reading, especially about American history. In his youth Joe enjoyed playing football and baseball, and continued his affinity for sports as a coach for numerous youth teams over the years. He was a member of Lancaster Country Club, and a former member of the Hamilton Club, and former board member of American Builders and Contractors and the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster.

In addition to his wife, Jeanne, Joe is survived by two children Michael Ryan (Carolyn) of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and grandchildren Annie, Nora and Alexandra, and Megan Ryan (Traci) of Tampa, Florida and grandchildren Sawyer and Huxley with twins on the way, and a sister, Marjorie Battista (Alfredo) of Lake Mary, Florida. He is also survived by sister-in-law Janet Harriger, of Lancaster, sister-in-law JoAnn Cenekofsky (Keith), of East Petersburg, brother-in-law Joseph Harriger (Julie), of Lititz, mother-in-law Dorothy Fasnacht, of Masonic Village, and father-in-law Dr. Miles Harriger (JoAnn), of East Petersburg, as well as numerous nephews and nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces. Joe was preceded in death by a brother in law, Miles Harriger.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, June 6th, 2019 at 11AM at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church 2427 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA. A luncheon will follow the service at Lancaster Country Club. Friends and family are also welcome to remember Joe from 6:00PM – 8:00PM on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA and again at the church Thursday from 10AM-11AM. Private interment will be held at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster 116 S. Water St. Lancaster, PA 17603 or Hospice & Community Care 685 Good Dr, Lancaster, PA 17604.

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Condolences to the Family

June 10, 2019

Dear Jeanne and Family,  
We just returned from a trip and learned of Joe’s sudden illness and death, and we are heartbroken and mourn with you and all of your family. Joe was always the same – kind, cheerful, diligent in his work, and totally committed to you and the family. We can only pray for your strength and courage going forward and ask the Lord to be with you in the days where you most need signs of hope and joy.  
With love,
Nancy and Jeff Bradley

June 07, 2019

On behalf of the St. James High School Alumni Association, I extend our deepest sympathies and prayers on your loss.  In April 2020, the Alumni Association will remember Joe at their annual Memorial Mass at St. Madeline’s Church, Ridley Park, PA.
It was my honor and privilege to be Joe’s baseball coach at St. James High School in Chester.

June 06, 2019

Dear Jeanne,
jack and I just saw the sad news. I am so sorry and send our deepest sympathy and love to you and your family! Great memories we have of joe! Please hang on to all your memories. Sending much love, 
Reyna and Jack Merrifield 

June 06, 2019

So sorry for your loss as I know he was a wonderful man, Best wishes to you all in preparing for life remembering your loved one. So sorry I couldn’t make your services. 
Kind wishes, Brenda Mcdonald( Zahm) 

June 05, 2019

My heartfelt sympathies for my cousin and condolences to the immediate family.  He has passed on to a better journey.
Mimi Ryan Cirillo

June 05, 2019

Jeanne,
I am in New Mexico at the moment and just heard the news about Joe.  I am truly sorry. Joe and I played both together and against one another growing up and he was always a gentleman.  I always respected Joe.  I also was very appreciative of the kindness you showed to Lori.  We both appreciated that.  If there is anything you need do not hesitate.  I live in East Berlin, PA now. Again I am truly sorry.
Jerry Ryan

June 05, 2019

To Jeanne and all the Ryan family, and to the Red Rose Interiors family we send our sincere condolences for the loss of great, great man.  Though technically we were only business associates I considered Joe a friend.  For 30 some years I admired and respected his business acumen, but also found him to be a warm,  passionate, funny guy that I liked to hang out with.  Whenever we would talk he always imparted some new wisdom on me. As well as being a principal at one of our company’s largest customers, he was also our favorite customer.  Everyone wanted to be in his foursome…….might not be the winning team but if he was there we were guaranteed a great time!  So from Susan and I, and everyone at Trevdan Building Supply we send all our love and support to everyone who is suffering from this incredible loss, as we are.  RIP my friend, we will see you on the other side.
Ed & Susan Rosselle, and Trevdan

June 05, 2019

I first met Joe in the early 1990’s when he and his work team helped with the building of the A. Herr Park playground. I always enjoyed being with Joe ( mostly golfing with his friend Grant) and felt he was an all-around good guy to know. My condolences to his family.
Bill Parke

June 05, 2019

Jeanne, 
Will be praying for you and your family. Joe was a business mentor to me in my younger days when I started in the construction industry. We served together on the board of directors at ABC. Always appreciated his wisdom and advice. Enjoyed him for his kindness & loyalty but also his directness, which I appreciated the most. We had quite a few laughs together over the years and kept in touch from time to time over the phone or lunch, etc.  I will MISS Joe!!  
Sympathies,
Todd Witmer

June 04, 2019

To the Ryan Family,
Prayers and thoughts are with the familly.   I can’t express how much Joe meant to me both personally and professionally, always there to talk to, catch up with, have lunch or play golf with.  I am glad that Joe and i got to know each other over the last 29 years, and I will always appreciate his kindness, his directness and overall friendship.
John Thorsen
 
 

June 03, 2019

To All the Ryan Family:
We are deeply saddened by the loss that you and family have encountered.
May care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead.
Our deepest sympathies go out to all of your family.
Jay and Linda Meyer (Margie’s Friends)

June 03, 2019

My sympathy on Joe’s passing. I remember how supportive he was of the soccer program when Mike played.
Keith Nagley

June 03, 2019

To the Ryan Family,
Our deepest Sympathy to all of your family.  Losing a close family member is never easy. I pray God will be with you through all of this, and give you the strength you need. Jeanne this is when you depend on your family and friends they want to be there for you count on them!! They are a blessing for you now.
God Bless you,
Bob and Pat Frater  (friends of Margie) 

June 03, 2019

Dearest Jeannie and family…. Words cannot express this loss for all of you … the years of memories I hold dear of our lives together and Joe’s generous spirit will be held in a special place in my heart….he will be greatly missed….💙
Lori Hemphill

June 03, 2019

Jeanne,
So sad when lives end way too soon.  I wish you and your family had Joe much longer.  
Roly
 

June 02, 2019

 
Dear family and friends:
I will remember that Joe always had an immediate and friendly greeting.
I have played squash for 47 years but easily the most remembered tournament match was with Joe.  We’ve had fun as years go by recollecting this exhausting, torrid, yet exhilariting tightly fought contest.  I think Joe won, 3-2.  He was always a fair competitor and will be fondly remembered.
With deepest sympathy.
Ron Smith
 

June 02, 2019

Prayers and thoughts with you and your family, Jeanne.  We are shocked and saddened by this and hope that with God’s strength and the love of family and friends you feel strong support and the love you need through this difficult time.
With Love and Sympathy,
Ric and Shirley Joline

June 02, 2019

To all the Ryan family: 
Please accept our deepest sympathies on the passing of Joe.  His love of and enthusiasm for life were infectious.  He was proud of his children and their accomplishments.  We know he will be missed.  As an aside, I, as Megan’s track coach, was greatful for his support and enthusiasm.
Bill and Julie Bowers

June 02, 2019

Jeanne,
I am so sorry! My prayers will be with and for you in these coming days and months.  If you need anything, please let me know.  I understand all too well about losing a spouse. May you find peace in the days ahead knowing that he is now illness free and whole in heaven with our Lord.
Linda

Visitation
Wednesday, June 05, 2019
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
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Visitation
Thursday, June 06, 2019
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Leo the Great Catholic Church
2427 Marietta Avenue
Lancaster, PA
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Services
Thursday, June 06, 2019
11:00 AM
St. Leo the Great Catholic Church
2427 Marietta Avenue
Lancaster, PA
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