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Burt T. Ryan Jr.

Burt Ryan Obituary

Burt T. Ryan, Jr., a bond dealer, trader, buyer, and salesman for 58 years, first with a family firm and subsequently with a well known national investment house, died Thursday, December 15, 2005, in his Ottawa Hills home of complications of Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer. He was 84.
Ryan, Sutherland and Co., Inc., his family firm, was early on part of a thriving trio of locally owned Toledo investment houses that included such forgotten names as Stranahan, Harris and Co. and Braun, Bosworth and Co.
While the firm was particularly known for its expertise in Ohio and Michigan tax exempt securities, Mr. Ryan excelled at buying undervalued bonds in the secondary market. Sometimes, as was the case with bonds bearing the New York name in the 1970's, these securities were unjustly stigmatized by irrelevant political and economic events, providing opportunities for canny investment professionals such as Mr. Ryan.
Mr. Ryan was born in Columbus and grew up in Toledo on Rockingham Street and Scottwood Avenue. He attended Rosary Cathedral grade school, St. John's High School, and graduated from the Loomis School, Windsor, Connecticut. He was a member of the Yale University class of 1944, graduating in 1946 after four years of wartime military service.
In his youth, he sold Liberty, a weekly magazine, and was an Eagle Scout. At Yale, he was a member of the lightweight football team.
Mr. Ryan met Helena Schwyn of Cygnet, Ohio, shortly after his discharge from the Army. They married June 24, 1948.
Mr. Ryan and his first cousin, William G. Sutherland, Jr., eventually took over the family firm from their fathers and an uncle who had founded it in 1921. For most of its history, Ryan, Sutherland had modest offices on the fourth floor of the former Hankison Building, at 221 Superior St., where two bronze plaques at street level announced its existence. Mr. Ryan and Mr. Sutherland operated the company, profitably, until dissolving it in 1980.
They then went to work for A.G. Edwards and Sons Inc. For Mr. Ryan, the new company and he were a perfect union of philosophy, standards, and colleagues. He enjoyed Edwards so much that he remained there until declining health forced him to retire in June of last year (2004).
A civil engineering major, Mr. Ryan joined the Army Signal Corps at Yale after the Pearl Harbor attack. He was soon called to active duty, transferred to the Army Air Forces, and commissioned a 2nd lieutenant after further training in Florida. He was assigned to an 8th Air Force Pathfinder Squadron stationed in southern England as a radar technician/operator aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress.
Mr. Ryan's interests over the years were varied, and included tennis, building electronic kits and furniture, and reading history and fiction. His seven children grew up in a home packed with books. He collected many tools in his workshop. He especially looked forward each fall to an old-boys weekend in Michigan--held for years in Grayling, then Leland--at which he was reunited with old friends.
He will be fondly remembered as quiet, thoughtful, and intelligent; a loving father and husband; a supportive son; a fine brother; and a loyal, trusted friend.
Preceding him in death were his father, Burt T. Ryan; mother, Nathalie Ryan; daughter, Lynn Ryan Scott; sister, Nathalie "Bambi" Ryan; brother-in-law, Pete Donnelly; and nephew, Barney Ryan.
Surviving are his wife, Helena; daughters, Nathalie Hoyt, Kathleen Ryan, Margaret Ale, and Betsy Glenn; sons, Carl and James; sister, Sarah Donnelly; brothers, Joseph, David, and Frank, and six grandchildren.
There will be no visitation. The Mass of Christian burial will be Wednesday, December 21, 2005, in Gesu Church, at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. James Cryan officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. in lieu of flowers those planning an expression of sympathy in Burt's name are asked to consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
Arrangements by J. Jeffrey Fretti Funeral Home, 5045 W. Sylvania Avenue (at Corey Rd.) 419-843-1117.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade from Dec. 17 to Dec. 19, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Burt Ryan

Not sure what to say?





Linda Stirn

December 19, 2005

Deepest sympathies to the Ryan family and to the A.G. Edwards "family." Mr. Ryan was the kindest boss I ever had.

Deb McCune

December 19, 2005

Do not know Mr Ryan but think very highly of his daughter whom I enjoy working with. She is a wonderful person, honest and with integrity, very hard working a true testament to his character. May God bless you and your family at this difficult time.

Bonnie Schwyn-Bell

December 19, 2005

Dearest Helena,and Family,

I want to extend my deepest sympathies to each of you. My parents Edward, and Flora Schwyn had alway held Burt in high regard, and respect. I think of you Helena, and your family often. May the spirit of the Lord be with you at this time.



Sincerely,



Bonnie Schwyn-Bell and Family

2086 Hampton Road

Grosse Pointe Michigan 48236

William Murtagh, M.D.

December 17, 2005

It was a pleasure and privilege to know Burt Ryan. A first class gentleman. My sincere condolances to his beautiful family.

ARNOLD BELL

December 17, 2005

A great friend since childhood, Burt brought loyalty, integrity and humor into into the lives of his family, friends and associates. We all loved Burt.

Jean Bell

December 17, 2005

Deepest sympathies to the Ryan family. Burt was truly a wonderful man with a wonderful wit and intelligence. He will be missed.

Carla and Dave Sanderson

December 16, 2005

Sorry to hear about this.

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