John J. Ryan, of Parksville, NY a retired Detective of the New York Police Department and a long-time area resident, died Friday, March 31, 2023, at the Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Harris Campus, NY. He was 84.

The son of the late William G. and Florence M. Ryan, he was born April 19, 1938 in Manhattan, NY. He grew up on Manhattan’s West Side in the neighborhood that is now Lincoln Center. John spent many of his childhood summers in Neversink and Liberty visiting with his paternal great-grandparents. His grandmother many times traveled with him by train from New York City to the Agway train depot in Liberty.

John joined the New York Police Department in 1965 and served as a member of the Tactical Patrol Force (TPF). During his time with TPF he was decorated for an act of valor and was subsequently selected into the ranks of the NYPD Honor Legion. In 1973, he was promoted to Detective and worked on the Bronx District Attorney’s Squad. He retired from the NYPD in 1984. After John’s retirement, he worked at Cablevision and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department.

John proudly served our Country in the US Coast Guard between the Korean and Vietnam wars. He later became a member of the American Legion and served as Liberty’s post president for several years. John was also the founder of the Sullivan County Shields, a fraternal police organization, and served as its president for many years. Additionally, John served his church and performed as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Peter’s Church in Liberty for a long period of time.

Survivors include his wife, Charlene Ryan, his siblings William (Irene) and Jane (Bob), his four children John (Elizabeth), Kathryn, Elizabeth, Michael (Lydia) and his eleven grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Monday, April 10 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, in Liberty, NY.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 11 at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Church, North Main Street, Liberty, NY.

Burial will be in the St. Peter’s Cemetery, Liberty, NY.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty, NY 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 or www. Harris-FH.com.