Joseph T. Ryan, 74, Judge

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Margaret (nee Clark) Ryan of Vermilion; children, Jane Ryan of Vermilion, Steven Ryan (Chris) of Cleveland, Sue Brown (Doug) of Vermilion, Marcella Thompson (Bruce) of Fairport, NY, Timothy Ryan (Jean) of Columbus, Patrick Ryan (Mary Ann) of Cleveland and 11 grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his parents, Joseph T. Ryan, Sr. and Ellen (nee Lehane), and 3 granddaughters, Kathleen, Erin and Caeden Ryan.

He was born on December 19, 1928 in Bristol, CT and has been a Vermilion resident since 1956. Mr. Ryan is a graduate of Niagara University, class of 1950. He earned his law degree from The Ohio State University College of Law, class of 1956.

Mr. Ryan was a combat veteran of the US Army, serving as First Lieutenant in a rifle company with the 5th Calvary Division during the Korean Conflict.

Mr. Ryan began his professional career in 1956 as a trial attorney for the New York Central Railroad. He later became a trust officer for the Cleveland Trust Corporation, as Vice President and later President of the Central National Bank of Lorain County. He left that position in 1976 to open a private law practice in the City of Vermilion.

Mr. Ryan's professional career is also marked by his service to the public. He served two terms as Councilman for the Vermilion Village Council in the 1960s and two terms as Vermilion's Safety Service Director, the first person to ever hold that position. He was elected Vermilion's first Municipal Court Judge in November of 1965, a position he retired form in July of 2000. Mr. Ryan was also proud of his long association with many civic organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Additionally, Mr. Ryan served as President of the Vermilion Athletic Boosters in the 1970s. Mr. Ryan was a long-standing member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vermilion.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vermilion on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Steven Blum, pastor of St. Mary's will officiate. The burial will be held in Maple Grove Cemetery in Vermilion.

Contributions in Joe Ryan's honor may be made to the Habitat for Humanity House, c/o St. Mary Church, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, Ohio 44089.

Arrangements entrusted to Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion.