Obituary of James W. Ryan, Jr.

James W. Ryan, Jr. “Big Jim” age 83, a resident of Aston since 1969, formerly of Chester, Pennsylvania, died Monday, March 8, 2021 at home. 

Jim was born June 20, 1937. He graduated from St. Michael’s Grammar School in 1951 and St. James High School in 1955. Jim was employed by Sun Shipbuilding Dry Dock at the age of 16, until their closing in 1989. He later worked for City Steel, retiring in 2003.

Jim was a loyal parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church for over 50 years.

Jim was a kind, hardworking, and intelligent man with a great sense of humor. He was the type of person you called when you needed something fixed, you needed a laugh, or both.

In his free time, he enjoyed tinkering in his garage, fishing, vacationing in Cape May, NJ, spending holidays with his family, watching his grandkids play sports and especially summers at his pool, where he was the dedicated lifeguard. 

Jim was a devoted spouse and father, an outstanding grandfather and a true friend to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

Son of the late James W. and Rose (Martin) Ryan, Sr., brother of the late Lois Seller, grandfather of the late Francis “Frankie” Ryan and father-in-law to the late Steven Weikel.

Survivors:

Beloved wife of 63 years: Bonnie M. (Pontillo) Ryan.

Children:  James Ryan (Susan), Jill Weikel, Judy Mills (James), Gary Ryan,

Darrin Ryan (Ronda).

Grandchildren: Ryan, Danielle, Wesley, Rebecca, Jeffrey and Natalie.

Also survived by 7 great-grandchildren.

The Ryan Family would like to extend a thank you to Lisa for assisting with the caretaking of our family in the past few months.

Visitation: Thursday, March 11th from 6:00-8:00PM at the Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Ltd., Middletown (Rte. #352) & Knowlton Rds., Middletown Twp., Media, PA 19063 and Friday, March 12th from 10:00-10:45AM at St. Francis De Sales Church, 35 New Rd., Aston, PA 19014.

Funeral Mass: Friday, March 12th at 11:00AM at St. Francis de Sales Church.

Interment: St. Francis de Sales Churchyard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Francis de Sales Church at the above address.