OBITUARY
John Francis RYAN
May 16, 1935 – January 2, 2020
RYAN, JOHN F. Age 84, of Naples, FL, passed away on January 2, 2020. Beloved husband, best friend and soulmate of Joanna (Leary) Ryan. Loving father to Christopher M. Ryan and wife Jane, Andrew T. Ryan and wife Teri, and Anthony J. Ryan. Remembered with great love and affection by his grandchildren: Cierra, Jackson, and Jack. Dr. Ryan’s absolute loves were his wife Joanna and his family, closely followed by his passion for healing infants and children at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he was Chief of Pediatric Anesthesiology for over 30 years and a pioneer in the field of pediatric anesthesia. Dr. Ryan had a unique career: John attended Cathedral High School where he was senior class president and valedictorian. He then matriculated at Boston College where he was the valedictorian of his class of 1957. During summer breaks from medical school at Columbia University College of Physician and Surgeons, John worked for the Air Force and developed the calibration technique for measuring micrometeorites used in the early satellites and the first moon shot. After graduation, Dr. Ryan interned at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and then spent two years at Vandenburg Air Force Base where, in March of 1965, he was awarded a Commendation Medal for his work in establishing the first intensive care unit in the United States Armed Forces. Following two years at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, John joined Massachusetts General Hospital where he was Chief of Pediatric Anesthesiology until 2002. Also an Associate Professor of Anesthesia at the Harvard Medical School, John influenced the careers of hundreds of residents and fellows‐in‐training while instilling in them his core values of resilience, hard work, and above all, compassionate care. His authoritative textbook, A Practice of Anesthesia for Infants and Children, remains as influential today as it was when first published decades ago. Dr. Ryan was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award from The American Society of Pediatrics in 1997. In the year 2000 he earned his Masters of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and dedicated himself to perfecting the design and efficacy of resident education for Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. John Ryan’s skill, expertise and compassion as a physician were surpassed only by his exuberant spirit as a loving husband, father, grandfather and as a great healing force for God’s children. Donations may be made in Dr. Ryan’s memory to: The Cathedral High School Scholarship Fund, 74 Union Park Street, Boston, MA 02118. John Ryan was a natural storyteller-- click on this link, OR copy and paste the link to your browser to see and hear John tell his story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBcigPoqp6s&feature=youtu.be
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Memories
John Francis RYAN
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ADD A MEMORYApril 23, 2020
I'm sorry to hear that John has passed away. He was a wonderful classmate at P&S. I'm impressed now to learn about hisfull career. My sympathy to the surviving family members.
Susan Standfast, P&S '61
Shahriar Alikhani Laguna Hills
March 3, 2020
Dear Joanna,
My condolences to you and your family. I am very saddened to read about John's passing. He clearly has touched so many hearts and lives. I am lucky in that I know you and John, both professionally and personally. To me, John was a patient father and a most respected educator. I owe so much to him.
He was most instrumental in guiding me through my Chief Residency year. To this day, I still have a very special artwork that he made. It hangs in my office. It is a simple artwork, but I look at it every day. I often try to emulate his kindness and wisdom. I am lucky to have had such a good friend.
Love,
Shahriar
February 7, 2020
Joanna, I was deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. John and I met in 1941 in the kindergarten class at the Francis Parkman School in Forest Hills, MA. where we spent the next nine years together. While John attended Cathedral High School in Boston, I went to Boston College High School. We both went on to Boston College and graduated with the class of 1957. While our professional careers took us on separate paths, we were reunited at the 50th reunion in 2007. Since then we enjoyed many social gatherings with old friends from Forest Hills including various golf outings as well as social gatherings in Ft. Lauderdale and Naples. Pat and I along with all John's friends from Forest Hills send our deep condolences. He will be sorely missed by all.
Ed Murphy Dedham, MA
Lee Ann McGinnis Charlotte
January 14, 2020
Dr. Ryan was a special mentor, ensuring we residents learned the skills we needed to provide safe care to the precious children who came thorough the MGH ORs, and then take out into the world. What a legacy he leaves from his thirty years of sharing himself with us, guiding us as he did, always with respect and care. He loved his work, and he worked with love. My sincere condolences.
Michael Davies Melbourne
January 12, 2020
John Ryan was a wonderful person, a true gentleman who was always very friendly to the many Australian anesthesiologists who worked at the MGH in the 1970s and 1980s.He was a leader in his field and a terrific teacher. Our specialty owes a debt to John Ryan.
Joan Hill North Eastham
January 12, 2020
After my son had an MH crisis, John was so kind and calming to me and our family. He sponsored and mentored a research project that I did, with a great deal of help from him, at MGH. His soft, kind voice and sharp intelligence stay with me forever.
My deepest condolences to his family. Joan Hill, Eastham, MA
Paul and Merilyn Allen Knoxville
January 11, 2020
Joanna, Merilyn and i want to send you our deepest condolences at your loss. It was a long struggle and you both made the best of it, and enjoyed life to the fullest. We fondly remember our day with you both in Marseilles. John was my great mentor, both for research and for life. I owe him a great debt for my success and will miss him very much.
Paul and Merilyn Allen
Jim Quinn Plymouth
January 11, 2020
As our colleagues have noted so well, John had compassion as his soul and kindness as his personna.The twinkle in his eye and his subtle laugh will always be remembered.It is no wonder he took care of the most fragile and vulnerable of us---our children.
His caring extended to everyone he met, as his personal character embraced all, in whatever capacity he interacted with them. I admire John for his humanity and selflessness and hope I emulated some of his attributes.
This eagle soars high forever,
Jim Quinn
David Cullen Cambridge
January 11, 2020
John was a dear friend and wonderful colleague. He was a superb teacher, clinician and human being. His wisdom was always so helpful to me and his sense of humor was infectious. We had so many good times at the Anesthesia Board exams, AUA and ASA meetings. I especially remember taking him and Joanne up into Golden Gate Park on a beautiful day where we could see for miles in all directions: Pacific Ocean, mountains and of course the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco in the background. It was magical and he was so thrilled to have that view. We will miss you so. David and Kathy Cullen
January 10, 2020
I was a resident in anesthesiology at MGH from 1987-1990. I must say that Dr. Ryan was possibly the most influential anesthesiologist I encountered in my training. His kind and calm demeanor, his wonderful sense of humor, and his fine skill at teaching the specialty were all unmatched. Thank you Dr. Ryan, you will be sorely missed.
John C. Rivard, MD Ann Arbor, MI
Diane Baranowski Bridgewater
January 10, 2020
Joanna, I am heart broken to find out this news. JFR was like a second father, not only to me, but to scores of other people who knew him. It was my privilege to have worked for him in the MGH Department of Anesthesia for 10 years - the best 10 years of my life! And I'm still sorry I sent him to Calgary instead of Toronto. What a truly lovely, wonderful, caring man and I loved him with all my heart.
My condolences to you and the kids.
With love always,
Diane Baranowski
Sunny (Barbara) Dodson, MD, MA, Professor Emerita School of Medicine, Dept Ane
January 9, 2020
May you have an eternity of joy and happiness for all the love and sincere caring that you brought to so many patients, their families, anaesthesiology residents and colleagues. You will be missed. Que la mémoire des justes et des saints soit une bénédiction.
Sunny (Barbara) Dodson, MD, MA, Professor Emerita UCSF, SF
January 9, 2020
John is one of the nicest and most caring physician that I've had the honour to work with both as a colleague and as as a student of his perpetually enthusiastic teaching. One of my fondest, personal memories of John is our shared interest in football. He always remembered I went to UGA, and we'd always talk about UGA odds for the season. He always displayed the best of our specialty and will be very much missed.
Anita Honkanen Stanford
January 9, 2020
John was one of my most memorable mentors and an inspiration to me in pursuing pediatric anesthesia. He taught me to remain calm and return to basics when things go awry, and always maintained a great sense of humor. I can't think of him and his support during my training without smiling. The world lost a unique and wonderful soul when he passed. My deepest heartfelt condolences. Anita Honkanen
Joshua Prager MD MS UCLA School of Medicine
January 9, 2020
I often think about my wonderful experiences with Dr. Ryna when I was his resident and later as his colleague at MGH. He was bright kind and practical.
Many of his pearls have served me well throughout my career.
Ken Davison Needham
January 9, 2020
Joanne- We are so sorry to hear this sad news. John was a mentor and dear friend who contributed so much to our profession, and will be sorrily missed. Ken and Maureen
Veronica Swanson Gig Harbor
January 9, 2020
Dr. Ryan had kindness as a ribbon of intent woven through everything he did. He was compassionate to the patients. And he was also compassionate to the residents he taught. I remember his spirit fondly.
Joshua Prager, MD, MS Santa Monica
January 9, 2020
I frequently reflect on the wisdom he imparted to me when I was his resident and later his colleague on the faculty. He was bright, warm and practical. He taught how to do complex difficult cases without creating unnecessary anxiety. I treasured my time with him and we will all miss him.
Julianne Bacsik Boston
January 9, 2020
Dr. Ryan was an inspirational teacher, and multi-talented anesthetist. I always enjoyed working with him Whether we were caring for a newborn or a ninety year old, I always came away with several important lessons. Thank you!
Elliot Krane Menlo Park
January 9, 2020
John was the most influential and inspirational teacher I had during my training at MGH and is the sole reason I am a pediatric anesthesiologist today. But beyond that he was the kindest and gentlest person I have ever met, a big bear of a man physically but so sweet and gentle. I have so many anecdotes and funny and warm stories of John from those years I could fill a book.
In my mind John is up there with Fred Rogers in the pantheon of the best human beings. He touched countless lives, saved countless lives, and his influence will live on and on and on. I am so very lucky and have been blessed to have known him.
Elliot Krane, Stanford University
ROBERT TAINSH, MD, MPH Winter Park
January 9, 2020
Working with Dr. Ryan as an anesthesia resident at MGH is the reason I chose to be a Pediatric Anesthesiologist. His legendary influence while teaching the art of pediatric anesthesia will never be forgotten
January 9, 2020
Thank you for all that you did for your patients and us in healthcare. We will always remember you and miss you. Dr. and Mrs. AJ de Armendi
robert littlehale Iowa City
January 9, 2020
John was a friend and mentor of unparalleled kindness and professional skill.
Charlie Padget Lynchburg
January 9, 2020
In the early years of the Kitz department, those of us in training recall Mike, Ed, Henning, Nick, Dave, George as stalwarts, and only need their first names to recognize our relationships as student/teachers. Dr Ryan was among those, a tremendous mentor, a great friend to the residents, and one of the calmest and most capable physicians in the face of a pediatric emergency.
andrew kofke philadelphia
January 9, 2020
one of my favorite teachers. what he taught me was geometrically multiplied in my teachings to my residents over the past 40 years. significant impact.
Pat & Bill Owens St. Louis
January 8, 2020
A giant of a man in his personal and professional lives that will remain a force for years to come.