Leo A. Ryan Jr., 93, of Riviera Beach, Fla., passed away on Aug. 23, 2014. He was born on July 7, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Leo A. Ryan, Sr. and Mary L. Patrick Ryan. Leo proudly served his country in the Army Air Corps, a flying officer in World War II. He was assigned in the base hospital as a cook, where the crew lovingly named him, the “Flying Mess Sergeant.” He was shot down, captured and held as a prisoner of war. He was highly decorated and was a recipient of three Purple Hearts. In 1943, Leo married Elizabeth Rizk until she passed away in 1985. He later married Jane Ryan on June 10, 1988. Leo was cofounder of the Ryan Agency, New Brunswick, and a representative of Allstate Insurance Co. from 1954 until retirement in 1989. He was past commander of the New Brunswick D.A.V, past president of the North Brunswick Lions Club, fourth-degree Knights of Columbus and the North Brunswick Police Reserve. He was a member of the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign War, Purple Heart Association and X-POW Staglog Loft III. A loved and cherished husband, father and grandfather, Leo is survived by his wife, Jane Ryan; children, Leo A. Ryan III, Judge Edward J. Ryan, and Mary Lou Ryan Rosta, William Sheehy, Daniel Sheehy; grandchildren, Gillian, Leo, Katie, Keelan, Reyleigh, Ryan, Elizabeth, Edward, Kristin, Andrew, Matthew, Chelsea, Dillon and Rachael; and seven great-grandchildren. A visitation was held at Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter. Leo will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, where he will receive the military honors he deserved. He was a one-of-a-kind man who did it his way. May he rest in peace.
