OXFORD – Dennis E. Ryan, 58, of Oxford, passed away unexpectedly on July 19, 2011 at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich.
He was born on Aug. 12, 1952 in Oxford the son of the late G. Richard Ryan and Helena Fitzgerald Ryan. On Sept. 17, 1977 he married Jennie Moffett.
He is survived by his wife, Jennie of Oxford; his children, Adam and Jennifer Ryan of Oxford and Rebecca and Adriaan Denkers of Oxford; his sisters and brothers in law, Kathleen and Ray Baldwin of Oxford, Susan Ryan and Greg Nelson of Hopewell, Pa., and Teresa and Rick Borchardt of Binghamton; his grandchildren, Richard Ryan, Hannah Ryan, Elizabeth Ryan and Fitz Denkers; and his nephews, Daniel Gladis, Trevor Borchardt and Connor Borchardt.
Dennis grew up on the family dairy farm, which he operated for several years. He graduated from Oxford Academy and Central School. His family was his life as a very devoted father and he loved to support his grandchildren by attending their many sporting events and helping with their hobbies. He had formerly been employed as a carpenter building houses on Cape Cod, as an electrician and traveled working for the telephone company in several states. He was currently working at Oxford Academy and Central High School in the Special Education Department and also serving as a class advisor. Very supportive of his community, he volunteered at school cooking breakfast for the sports teams as they traveled to sectional competitions. He was an avid New York Yankee fan and loved to listen to Imus in the Morning. He was an avid reader and loved being up on the latest technology. He was a former member of the Town of Oxford Planning Board and was currently serving as a Town Councilman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford with Richard D. Howard officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford.
Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, Oxford on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Oxford Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 192, Oxford, NY 13830.
Condolences may be sent to the funeral home website at behefuneralhome.com.