Tuesday

August 4, 2009

With heavy hearts we said our goodbyes to Bill, Dad, Grandpa, PaPa, Great-grandpa, Uncle Bill, Billy, and our thick-headed Irishman.

At 2am he passed away and is now in the hands of our Lord.

Our family would appreciate hearing any short stories or anecdotes you may have about Bill. Your previous comments have really shown how many lives he has touched in so many different ways. Your comments have brought us to tears and have also made us laugh.

Details of arrangements will follow.

21 comments:

  1. Our sincere sympathy and loving thoughts. So sorry. Ted & Marilyn

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  2. Willy Lump Lump. Now you get to listen to... Howard.....Howard.....HOWARD!

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  3. How can this be? It was just last week that Bill showed up at Creeland Ave with his black and white Ford. And it just the other day that we were ice skating on the pond in Milford and he was smoking Salem cigarettes. And was it yesterday that he was tap dancing with my sister? It all went by so fast. I miss you.

    Peace be yours with the Lord.

    James -

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  4. Dearest, Dawn and family I will be traveling to CT., for Bill's funeral. Jerry called me just a while ago with the bad news, and again I was on the road traveling on business, and I had checked this site before I left this morning. I am so so sorry for the loss of Bill. what a friend. I'm so glade he got to see my garage and office wall where pic's of him and car are displayed amount the Barris pic's. And I'm so proud and greatfully to have been the only other person that drove the Buick since he has owned it. Always a pleasure to talk about Barris' cars with him. Kerry

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  5. My soon-to-be stepdaughter, Cassie, reminded me of the last conversation we had with him only 2 days before the accident. I had just finished telling him that Cassie was a good kid for a 15 year old. Bill laughed and said, as he put her in a big bear hug, "Hey don't ever let her fool you. I remember when I was 15 and I could get myself in all sorts of trouble." Cassie thought that was hilarious.

    My 8-year-old daughter Allison will always remember Bill teaching her how to make real maple syrup. She was so fascinated and thought it was the coolest thing ever.

    George will remember going for that joyride with Bill in his beautiful cherry red Barris. Bill would rev the engine all along the way - just because.

    I will remember the little goofy things. Like he is the only person I know that has a golf cart to drive to the neighbor's houses. He is the only person I know that keeps a backhoe in the driveway. He is the only person I know that has a toliet freestanding in his basement (no walls no door). (Kerry told me it was to ensure that no one would want to walk in unannounced.) He is the only person I know who when "he got bored, his house got bigger".

    I can't believe he's gone. This is so surreal. My heart is just breaking. Our love to all of you.

    - Jen, George, Cassie and Allison

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  6. I am so very sorry for your great loss of Bill. I have worked at the Town Hall for almost 6 years now and have worked with Bill on many projects. He was very dedicated to his position on Inland Wetlands Commission and was a great, funny guy to have around. He will be missed....

    Sincerely, Deirdre Caruso

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  7. Barbara (De Soiza) & John and Ethan AdamsAugust 4, 2009 at 3:58 PM

    I just heard the news and can't believe the words on the page. I can't tell you how sorry I am for the family and the world. The world was a much better place with Bill it it, he always brought fun and laughter to everyone. He gave so much and really never realized it----it was just Bill! My heart is just torn in two, and I can't get the lump out of my throat. The lord takes the really good ones early, he (lord) must need Bill for something really inportant! Bill I love you dearly and you will always be in my heart and prayers. My love and Pryers go out to you Dawn, Jimmy, Nancy, Kerri, and all the grandkids & great grandkids. We the Adams & De Soiza's are all here for you, anytime. Please keep us updated on arrangements ect.
    You know when I was little Bill was a little scary----- I mean he was a big man with a deep voice and had a room filled with scary (scary for a little kid) animals. They were mounted on the walls and just sitting around the room (fox sat right next to his lazyboy). It was like being in wild kindom and he was the big bad hunter------ then he talked to you and gave you one of his famous bear hugs, and even as a kid you realized real fast he was not the big bad hunter, he was a big teddy bear! I fell in love with that teddybear (and the entire family, who are also amazing people)as a little girl and have loved him ever since!
    I love you all, and am so sorry for your loss---a loss that will be felt by many. he will be missed, but never ever forgotten!
    All our love and prayer,
    The Adams Family
    (Barbara & John and Ethan Adams)
    (Need anything or just to talk: Barb cell 941-374-1950 // Home: 941-378-0127)---your in our prayers!
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxoxox

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  8. Dawn, know that we are here for whatever you may need. Our hearts are with you, and our prayers are for Bill and a happy transition to his new life... we will miss him, but he is resting in the hands of the Lord...

    Beth,Ralph,Ralphy and Pat!

    ps Pat always loved riding around the nieghborhood with Bill in the golf cart... he always felt like hot stuff...

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  9. Kerry, your friends at Turner are very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very diffcult time. God bless your Dad and your entire family.

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  10. I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We are all part of the family of car enthusiasts and the loss of any member affects everyone of us.

    Jerry Callender
    President Car Club Council of Hampton Roads

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  11. Bill was a great man and neighbor. My heartfelt sympathies to the family and may Bill rest in peace with our lord.We will all miss him.

    Rich Gittings

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  12. To the Family of Bill Ryan,

    I was the Turner Superintendent for the Seymour High School project. When I knew Bill was coming to visit the site I made damn sure the place was extra ship shape. If I past Bill's inspection, I figured I was close to where we needed to be. His mere presence commanded our respect.

    I am truly sorry to hear of his passing. God bless.

    Paul Taormina

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  13. Dear Dawn and family, Howie and Maureen.

    We are truly saddened by your loss. Although we only once met you and Bill certainly it was a memorable time. We (Shriners and guests) headed out to Nashville on a bus trip. Bill was ready for the trip as he donned his new sneakers. That is when the first problem arose. Poor Bill was in agony with gout. Those new sneakers were not the cure for painful toes. Bill's answer to the problem was to cut the top off those new shoes. He moaned a little about the damage done to the sneakers but it did give him some relief for a short time.

    Then problem #2 came to being. We were on the bus attempting to go to Gatlinburg for a day trip. Wouldn't you know the bus driver had never been there and got lost on a winding back country road. A pickup truck approached us from the opposite direction and there was not room enough for both to pass. Bill, Howie and Bob MacLellan got out of the bus and with professionalism directed the driver how to turn the bus around. We thought the bus would end up getting stuck.Have no fear as the two Irishmen and one Scotsman got us back on the road. One would think the three of them handled problems like this every day.

    Fun memories, great memories. Hold them dear as we shall and they will help to ease your sorrows.

    Bob and Harriet Harrison

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  14. My favorite most reasent memory is when I (stupidly) got my truck stuck in the mud (at 8:30 at night), I was very greatful to be able to call dad to come and bail me out. He had to get on the ground, and get himself all muddy to hook up the rope and hook too! When I thought he was going to yell at me, his only comment was "That's what father-in-laws are for..."

    Bill treated me like a son. I felt like he was my real father. He helped me a out alot with taking care of my house, and my garden, and digging up trees in my back yard.

    I dropped my truck off at his house the tuesday morning that he had his accident. He drove me to the hospital for my surgery, and he found out that Kerry was going to work nights, and dad's biggest issue was when he was going to see Ellie! He didn't know what he was going to do not getting his 3 day a week 'Ellie fix'

    Ellie loved him so much too! I've heard so many story's about the 'Papa dance'! Where dad would stand in the driveway, and swing his arms around, and every time Ellie would learn the new step, he would add to it. What I wouldn't give to be able to get that on video tape! When Ellie would push her nose, Papa would beep the horn on whatever machine he was working on. Thank god for Brandon, he's continuing on the tradition, so she won't forget. (Ellie LOVES him too!)

    -Noel Smith

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  15. My sincere condolences and prayers to the family of Bill Ryan. I was truly optimistic that his strength and fortitude was going to pull him through this. I'm going to miss him.

    Dee Niedzwecki

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  16. We can't believe the course of events..things seemed to be going right and then something went terribly wrong.Guess our maker has plans for Bill to help build another "castle" in the sky and have it built to perfection,as only Bill could do.Bill will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune of knowing him,a great friend,funny humor,loving bear hugs and a twinkle for evrery little kid.He had everyone eating out of his hand.We didn't see him nearly enough but he knew how special he was to us and especially Rachel and Rebecca.
    Our most heartfelt sympathy to all the family.
    "Red",Margaret and family.

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  17. I just wanted to add to my parents' note above. Heartbroken. There are no other words. I love Bill to pieces. I remember coming over the house as a kid and him letting me climb all over his cars (especially the "movie" car), even though they were cleaned to perfection. Dad said to stop, that I would get the seats dirty, but Billy said they were there to enjoy. I love you Dawn, Kerry, and family. I will be home to see you in a few days. We all enjoyed our get togethers so much. We will miss Bill terribly. I am especially not looking forward to consulting with Dad to build my dream home one day. Billy always said he would do a better job ;)

    Much much much love,
    Rebecca Smith

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  18. Deepest sympathies to all. Our '32 Plymouth wouldn't be here without Bill's help, and we are so thankful to have had him in our lives.

    The Franzens

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  19. Dearest Bill

    Unfortunately, I think those European frozen blueberries will have to be eaten some other time. I hope they have them right there where you are, in Heaven. Please save some for me when I join you in some years, that is if our Lord considers me good enough to join you there. I hope they have lots of ice cream too, plus some Harleys and also some customized cars. If they do, I am sure you will soon be driving (racing?) the best one and win the Grand National of Heaven.

    I do not think I could ever thank you enough for what you and your dear Dawn did for my beloved wife Claudia and for the way you have always welcomed us. I remember everyday the advice you have given me the first time we met, some 15 years ago - "always be the best at what you do". This is probably the best piece of advice I was ever given and one I try hard to follow.

    You are indeed one of the Greatest Human Beings I have ever met and I never ceased to be amazed at how you have touched so many lives together with your beloved Dawn. You have set the best of examples and I just hope we all may be wise enough to follow.

    You are and will always be greatly missed.

    See you again in some years and in the meanwhile say hello to my Mum for me.

    Paulo
    (Hog #1)

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  20. Dawn & family,
    It seems like just a few months ago we were together at the Cove on the water enjoying the afternoon together as close friends do. I was so happy you came down. I would like to be there with you but can't but will keep in contact as much as possible..He was so much fun and l loved him like a big brother. All my love,
    Ann LaVallee (Annie) Dawn take care you have a nice family to help.

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  21. A year went by, and I miss you so...
    Love, Claudia

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