William Michael Ryan

William Michael Ryan, 72, of Mowry Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island; formerly of Sabattus, Maine; died on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at his residence surrounded by the love of family and friends and the assistance of hospice. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts on July 12, 1940, he was a son of the late Joseph and Estelle (Spillane) Ryan. Mr. Ryan served with the United States Army from his enlistment on November 13, 1958 to his honorable discharge on June 3, 1971 with the rank of SP5 after having served during the Korean and Vietnam wars with the First Chemical Staff Specials Class of 1963. A resident of Pawtucket, Rhode Island for only the past month, Mr. Ryan previously resided in Sabattus, Maine for 12 years and was a former resident of Port Charlotte, Florida where he resided for 19 years. His sense of humor, ability to articulate stories particularly about his military service experiences and his love to converse with family and friends will never be forgotten. He enjoyed watching professional wrestling, eating Hershey chocolate bars and Chip Ahoy cookies. Many years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald and Lula (Cooley) Michaud of Lewiston, Maine; formerly of North Attleboro, Massachusetts; welcomed Mr. Ryan into their family where he quickly became an integral part. After six years of living with Mr. and Mrs. Michaud, their son's family warmly accepted Mr. Ryan into their family where he has been for almost 40 years. For decades, Mrs. Susannah K. Michaud and her late husband, Elwin "Butch" Michaud, and their family were the caregivers and providers for Mr. Ryan. Although the Michaud family did much for Mr. Ryan he reciprocated with love and was considered to be "one of the family" and each of them treasured every moment, experience and story shared together. In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Michaud of Lewiston, Maine, his original caregivers, he leaves: Susannah K. Michaud, his attentive, caring and loving primary caregiver for decades with whom he resided in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; a daughter: Cynthia Ryan in South Carolina; two brothers: Joseph R. Ryan in Virginia and Kevin Ryan in Connecticut. He was the father of the late Grace Ryan Coleman and was the brother of the late Richard Ryan and Carol Frost. In addition, Mr. Ryan leaves Susannah Michaud's children: Tonya K. Jollimore of South Attleboro; Tammy L. Simmons of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Michelle L. Cannon of Fairhaven; Michael E. Cannon of Fairhaven; Rachelle Spahr of Port Charlotte, Florida and Kerri Blair of South Attleboro and their fourteen children and 12 grandchildren all of whom Mr. Ryan loved and considered his "nieces and nephews". Family and friends are cordially invited to attend a gathering of family and friends on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the nationally historic "Colonel Obed Robinson Home", 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service with Veteran's Honors immediately upon the conclusion of visitation on Wednesday, June 19. 2013 at 11:00 AM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the nationally historic "Colonel Obed Robinson Home", 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. Robert Perron, Pastor of Holy Family Parish, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in North Purchase Cemetery, 825 North Main Street - Route 162, Attleboro. Children's room available during the memorial gathering and the funeral service. Following cemetery services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a nearby location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Ryan's name may be made to the Dyer-Lake Charitable Foundation, Inc., a registered 501 (c) 3 organization, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, North Attleboro, MA 02760 - (508) 695-0200 to benefit the Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island. For additional information or to send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.