Gerald J Ryan

November 29, 1926 - January 10, 2021

Gerald J. Ryan, 94, beloved husband, father, and Papa, passed away in his home in Manteno, IL on Sunday, January 10, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Gerry was born on November 29, 1926 in Chicago, IL, to James and Mary (Hanlon) Ryan. In 1952, Gerry married Virginia (Ginny) Rohel in Chicago IL. They were happily married for 68 years. Gerry served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war, Gerry attended DePaul University and graduated with a degree in accounting. He spent the majority of his life working in property management in Chicago, first with his uncle at Gerald P. Hanlon & Co., then as the owner and manager of his own apartment buildings. He also worked at Sears in Bolingbrook, IL in the kitchen remodeling department. To all those who knew him, Gerry was an everyday example of what it means to be a fair, kind and light-hearted person. His stories of life growing up in Chicago, serving in the military and working in real estate were always filled with memories of laughter, faith in God and compassion for others. Gerry was also an ardent animal lover, having had many loved and loyal pets through the years. Gerry was preceded in death by his parents and his four cherished brothers, Hugh (Mary) Ryan, James (Barbara) Ryan, Patrick (Liz) Ryan and Joseph (Barbara) Ryan. Gerry is survived by his wife, Ginny, and their eight children, Sharon (Stephen) Rooney, Raymond Ryan, Jody (Bruce) Anderson, Michael (Rene) Ryan, Matt (Kathy) Ryan, Susan Ryan, Nancy (Eric Roesch) Ryan, and Christopher (Amy) Ryan. He is the dear grandfather to Stephen (Adrianne) Rooney, Shannon (John) Rafter, Shaun (Kristin) Rooney, Scott Rooney, Jessica Ross-Ryan, Madison Ross-Ryan, Jeremy (Brittany) Anderson, Jeffery Anderson, Eric (Lauren) Anderson, Mark (Kari) Anderson, Colleen (Ryan) Clark, Kevin Ryan, Brittany (Ellie Poley) Alsot, Rachel Petterson, Jack Ryan, and Evan Ryan. He is the dear great-grandfather to Jacob Rooney, Logan Rooney, Grace Rooney, Ryan Rooney, Hazel Anderson, Emily Anderson, Caleb Anderson, Benjamin Anderson, Bruce Clark, Chloe Ryan, and Eric Ryan. Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Manteno, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Interment is private at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Alsip, IL. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to UpliftedCare in Gerald Ryan’s name. UpliftedCare is dedicated to providing compassionate physical, emotional, spiritual, and social support to terminally ill individuals and their families. https://upliftedcare.org/make-a-difference/make-a-donation/