Age 94
Passed away peacefully, on October 17, 2024 at the villages of Lonsdale in Lonsdale MN, where he had been a resident since May 1, 2024.
Patrick was born on a farm in Hampton Township, MN on October 31, 1929, the son of Francis and Catherine (Glynn) Ryan. He later moved to Cannon Falls, where he attended school and graduated with the class of 1949. Patrick served in the US Army as an MP on active duty from 1949 to 1951 and in the Army Reserves from 1951 to 1956. He was a member of the 1952 Class A Amateur State Champion Cannon Falls Bears Baseball Team. Patrick worked as a general labor and was a proud member of LIUNA Laborers International Union of North America, Local Union #563. He moved to Apple Valley, MN, where he raised his three sons.
One of Patrick’s greatest passions was coaching his sons and hundreds of other young men in Apple Valley where he was known to be a firm but fair coach and earned the nickname Sarge. In 1983 as an assistant coach he helped lead Apple Valley’s 13-year-old Babe Ruth team to the state and regional championships and a trip to the Babe Ruth World Series. During his retirement years he was often a steady fixture in the bleachers of the local high school, college and town team baseball games. He will always be remembered for ending his phone calls with his signature words, “Be good.”.
He survived by his sons, William (Julie) of Lonsdale, Thomas (Jolynn) of Lakeville and Robert (Kara) of Elko New Market; sisters, Rose Maring of Kenyon, and DeDee (Ed) Erickson of Rosemont; grandchildren, Ellie (Ryan) Nichols, Jack, Cooper, Parker, Cullen, and Keegan great-grandson, Harlan; also many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary (Dick) Daniels, Ellen (Fran) Gall and Margaret Ryan; brothers, Edward & James Ryan.
Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am Friday, October 25th, at the Church of St. Nicholas, 51 Church St., Elko New Market, MN, and can also be livestreamed at https://stncc.net/live-stream. Visitation 10:00-11:00 am prior to Mass at church. Interment St. Pius Church Cemetery, Cannon Falls, MN.
Patrick was a generous man, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org.