James Joseph Ryan
James Joseph Ryan
1942-2021
Scarborough - James Joseph Ryan, 79 passed away at home on Monday, October 11, 2021 after complications from illness. He was born September 8, 1942 in Portland, the son of Frederick J. and Margaret A. (Olmstead) Ryan.
Jim graduated from Portland High School, Class of 1961. Following graduation, he went on to earn an associate degree in business from Northeastern Business School. While attending college and working as a clerk at Rudy's Market, he met Dorothy Bryant of Portland. He went on to marry his loving wife Dotty and they moved to Biddeford and eventually settled in Saco. He went to work at the WestPoint Pepperell mill in Biddeford for 12 years where he was a supervisor. When the mill closed, he went to work as a dispatcher with St. Johnsbury trucking. He was there for nearly 20 years until their operation shut down. He then worked for the Portland School Department as a custodian for 15 years, until he retired at age 67.
Jim and Dotty had two children together and in 1976, they took in his Jim's younger brother Tim due to their parents passing away. Tim was just transitioning to high school. As a family they enjoyed camping in the NH mountains, going to car races at Beech Ridge, Oxford, and Louden speedways. They also enjoyed going to see the Maine Mariners play hockey. They eventually moved to So. Portland and bought land in Otisfield for a camp. With the help of Jim's father, they built the camp which is still in the family today. After their children were grown, Jim and Dotty moved to their current residence in Scarborough. Through his adult life and into retirement Jim enjoyed listening to country music, watching Nascar & WWE wrestling on TV, eating KFC and socializing at both the Eagles Club in Portland,
where he was a Golden Eagle and at the Moose Lodge in Scarborough. Jim and Dotty celebrated 56 years of marriage this year.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Barry & George Ryan. Surviving in addition to his wife Dorothy, are his sons John P. Ryan of Eustis, FL and Peter J. Ryan of So. Portland, ME; two grandchildren, Chelsie Ryan of Orlando, FL and Zachary Ryan of Limington, ME and their respective mothers Melissa Doughty and Christine Amato who remain close to the family, as well as his younger brother Timothy J. Ryan and many nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 20 at Scarborough Free Baptist Church, 55 Mussey Road, Scarborough. A reception and light lunch will take place immediately afterwards at the church. Those who wish to make gifts in remembrance of Jim may do so to either So. Maine Hospice, 390 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074 or to the Scarborough Free Baptist Church. Flowers can be sent to the church to arrive between 1 and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct 19. Deliveries will be accepted at the rear door. Condolences can be mailed to Dotty Ryan at 7 Skyline Street, Scarborough, ME 04074.
John and Peter Ryan want to express that they loved their father very much. Tim Ryan wants to express his appreciation of his brother's strength. He will be missed.
The family would like to thank all of those who have been there to help whenever it was needed including hospice and hospital staff, friends, neighbors, family, and the congregation.
Jim will be buried at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2002 Congress Street, Portland, ME at a future date.
Online condolences may be expressed below.
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