Reverend David A. Ryan died on November 5, 2015 at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida. David was born on May 1, 1934 in Providence, Rhode Island to Lillian Ryan. David graduated from Classical High School in Providence, Rhode Island. After graduating from Northeastern University, David received his Master’s of Divinity from the Berkley Divinity School at Yale. From an early age, David felt a calling to serve God in parish ministry, and began the fulfillment of that call when he was ordained to the Priesthood in December 1960. David began his parish ministry as Curate of St. Barnabas Church in Warwick, RI, and in 1962 became Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Tiverton, RI. In 1965, David was called to be the Rector of two parishes in neighboring Rhode Island towns: St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in West Warwick and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Coventry. In 1972, David led these two parishes into a successful merger. The two parishes worked together to construct a new church building on the border between West Warwick and Coventry. The new church was named Church of St. Andrew and St. Philip. David served that parish as Rector for over 30 years until his retirement in 1996. David rejoiced in doing the Lord’s work, and was beloved by his parish. David was very active in the International Rotary organization, where he embodied their motto of “service above self”. David served as President of his local Rotary club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary’s highest honor. David also served as Boys Camp Director for many years at the Episcopal Conference Center in Pascoag, RI.
David married Constance Anita Blouin in Providence, RI. For over 58 years of marriage, they lived devoted in love for each other. During his time at St. Andrew and St. Philip, David and Connie were active together in Marriage Encounter and Cursillo. For the past ten years, David and Connie have been residents of The Villages, FL where they have been active members of St. George Episcopal Church. Although retired from parish ministry, David continued to minister to others by sharing God’s love with his fellow parishioners, friends, neighbors, and medical caregivers. David is survived by his wife Constance Ryan, and by his three children, Lisa Demers (and her fiancée Michael Ferry), Michael Ryan (and his wife Kathy) and John Ryan (and his wife Therese), and by his ten grandchildren, Matthew Demers (and his wife Katie), Andrew Demers, Joshua Demers, Laura Ryan, David Ryan, Alison Ryan, Patrick Ryan, Rebecca Benoit, Michael Benoit and Daniel Ryan. A memorial service and celebration of David’s life and ministry will be held at St. George Episcopal Church, The Villages, FL at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2015. A reception will follow in the parish hall. The family has asked that donations in memory of David be made to St. George Episcopal Church, 1250 Paige Place, The Villages, FL 32159.