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Hanson – James Aloysius Ryan Jr., 84, of Hanson, MA, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2021, with his loving family by his side.
Jim was born June 12, 1937 in Arlington, MA, to James A. Ryan and Cecelia Williams Ryan and moved to Gloucester, MA, where he spent most of his life.
Jim graduated from Gloucester High School, New Prep and Tufts University, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. Jim worked for the engineering firm Metcalf & Eddy for over 50 years and was a Certified Professional Engineer until the time of his death. At the age of 79, he began a second career as an award-winning cartographer producing historical maps of his beloved Cape Ann. His award-winning career card can be found at many local homes and businesses.
In 1961 Jim married the love of his life Judy (Brown). Jim and Judy have spent 60 wonderful years together living and raising their family in Plum Cove.
Jim has had many interests and hobbies during his life. He was a scratch golfer and ran his golf team at Tufts. He loved tennis both as a player and as a spectator and was a huge New England Patriots / Tom Brady fan. Jim was a self-taught carpenter and used his skills to completely redesign and remodel his Plum Cove home on several occasions. He was an accomplished stonemason and built an incredible granite fireplace in his house. He was known to say he had ruined two cars and his own in the process. He loved antique furniture and scoured antique stores for relics he restored in his workshop. He was also very artistic in sculpting and painting mahogany Clipper Ships that would later be given to friends and family as signs of welcome. For many years Jim was an avid boating enthusiast and had many adventures with his family aboard his 17ft Boston Whaler. He was a golf historian and a collector of classic golf clubs that he would proudly show to anyone who was interested. He was also a classical music enthusiast with an incredible collection and knowledge of different pieces of music.
He also had an incredible love for animals. In his youth he bred carrier pigeons and when his children were young he bred lots and lots and lots of French Lop rabbits. His greatest love has always been dogs. During his life he had Irish and English Setters and even a Gordon Setter for a while. This love of dogs was passed on to his children.
Jim and Judy had a special bond with a close-knit group of friends affectionately called CONCLAVE, five couples who became an extended family.
Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judith (Brown) Ryan; his son, James Aloysius Ryan III; his daughter, Whitney Jane Trapp; his son-in-law, David Trapp; his stepdaughter, Christine Ryan; her grandchildren, Emily Jane Trapp, Mathew Ryan Trapp, Abigail Louise Trapp, Jaime Elizabeth Ryan, Seamus Patrick Ryan, Katherine Bridget Ryan and Erin Grace Ryan; his great dogs, Jack, CeCe, Hercules and Talia. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law and his brother-in-law; and several special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; her brother, Richard Williams Ryan; and his sister Louise Ellen Gordon.
The family would like to thank Hope Health Hospice for providing such compassionate care to Jim and his family in his last days.
There will be a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at Beechbrook Cemetery, Gloucester, followed by a celebration of his life at 11:30 a.m. at Minglewood Harborside, 25 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate on Jim’s behalf to Hope Health Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904, or any charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.
For online condolences, please visit.
