Obituary of Reverend Father Joseph Ryan

Father Joseph Ryan, Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church, Mt. Arlington, NJ, passed away suddenly on Saturday June 21. Fr. Ryan was a native of Ireland, born in County Tipperary to Philip and Nora Ryan (Leahy). He received his early education at the Irish Christian Brothers School in Doon, County Limerick. From there he entered St. Patrick's College, Thurles, County Tipperary. After completing his theological studies there, he was ordained in Assumption Cathedral, Thurles, on June 12th 1966. Shortly after, he came to the Diocese of Paterson where his first assignment was Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Wayne, NJ. He next joined the faculty of Pope John XXIII High School, Sparta and completed his studies for a Master's degree in Counseling from Fordham University. He was then appointed to the Marriage Counseling Bureau of the Diocese of Paterson in Morristown, NJ. He next was appointed pastor of St. Monica's, Sussex, followed by St. Anthony's, Hawthorne, and finally Our Lady of the Lake. Fr. Ryan was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers, Patrick and Thomas. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary O'Brien Ryan. He is also survived by his loving sisters and brothers, Mary Quaine of London, Pauline , and her husband James Collins, of Cork, Teresa, and her husband Richard Martin, of Oak Ridge, Nora, and her husband Francis Fanelli, of Franklin, NJ., John Ryan, of Cork, and Philip Ryan, and his wife Betty, of London. He is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews and numerous grand nieces and nephews.