Gerald Francis Ryan M.D.
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Gerald Francis Ryan M.D. was born to a farming family in Saranac, New York on May 10, 1935 and passed away peacefully in his home on June 18, 2017. Raised by strong parents, Gerald and his siblings (Matthew, Harold, Robert, Dorothy, and Marilyn) learned by example to serve God and others. Gerald strongly valued the importance of family, education, and hard work. Gerald graduated from St. Michael’s College in 1956 and Georgetown University Medical School in 1960. Commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force, Gerald and his wife Mary were stationed at Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath in England from 1961 to 1965. Following military service, he completed his residency in internal medicine at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY then relocated to Rochester specializing in cardiology. He served as assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and was a consultant to the New York State Cardiac Advisory Committee. A respected and skilled physician, Dr. Ryan provided care to tens of thousands of patients and their families for more than 48 years and continued his practice until passing. In addition to his ground-breaking work with pacemakers, Dr. Ryan started the Department of Cardiology at Unity Hospital, served as its Chairman until 1992, and in the course of his chairmanship launched the cardiac catheterization program. Gerald’s hobbies included farming, producing maple syrup, wine making, collecting antique cars and Farmall tractors. While medicine and a family farm kept Gerald close to home, he loved to travel visiting his nine children, 24 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter, never missing a baptism, graduation, or wedding. Gerald is predeceased by cherished sons Mark and Kevin, and daughter-in-law, CJ. He is survived by his loving wife of more than 55 years, Mary Dobbertin Ryan and their children; Steve, Chris (Patty), Tricia, Lisa (Charles), Katie (Tim), Dan (Cindy), Joe (Holly), and daughter-in-law Mary Ellen. A funeral mass open to the public will be held at St. Lawrence Church at 1000 N. Greece Rd. Rochester, NY on Thursday June 22nd at 9:30 am. Burial honors are private and for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Gerald F. Ryan, MD Cardiology Fund at Unity Hospital. For more information and to sign the online guestbook please visit www.meesonfamily.com
A true Legend! Thanks for all you taught us. My condolences to the family. I wanted to share how many hundreds of patients I have I heard over the years say ‘Dr. Ryan is my Cardiologist and he is amazing, wonderful, etc.’ I have never met a patient who had a bad word to say about him… and thats an accomplishment in itself! He will be missed!
Dear Mimi and family, I was saddened to hear about Dr. Ryan’s passing. I remember him fondly and am grateful for the experience of working the stand over 25 years ago! My prayers go to you and your entire family. Love, Liz Galan
Deepest sympathy to Mary and the entire Family and it is a big family indeed. He spoke of his Family and hobbies every time I had an office visit. I have seen Dr. Ryan well over 20 years since my bypass surgery. His expertise and helpful advice has certainly kept me going. My fondest and funniest memory of him was when Mary was filling in at the desk in his office and they both would differ on something, he would just roll his eyes at me and then gave us that heartfelt devilish grin of his. I just know he loved his wife and Family very much and he will be missed. Thank you Dr. Ryan for the many years of professional care, funny stories and those devilish grins that told all what kind of a Man he really was. Professional, hard working and yes, a real softie. Rest peacefully my Friend. Sincerely, Jim and MaryAnn Prentice
Dr. Ryan tirelessly cared for three generations of my family. I once told him that he was a ‘doctor’s doctor,’ and he was truly that, and much more. His selfless concern for his patients, even during his final illness, spoke to his strong Christian values and his love of the practice of medicine. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Godspeed, Dr. Ryan. My sincerest condolences to the entire Ryan family.
Dr. Ryan told me if ever I needed him to call him. So one night while working on (the old) 2400 at Park Ridge I did. He was out in the field on the tractor. I was afraid he would be mad, but no, he wasn’t. I called him many an evening shift while working. Dr. Ryan was always wonderful to each and everyone of his patients and to us nurses. He took excellent care of my husband, Will and he gave me a hug every time he saw me after Will passed away. My sincere sympathies go out to all the family. Thank you Dr. Ryan for all you have done. I am so thankful that I worked with you for so many years.
Dr. Ryan was a wonderful physician, both as care provider and teacher of younger physicians. His loss leaves a real gap in the world.
I am very sad to hear of Dr. Ryan’s passing. He was a wonderful caring man. I have been a patient of his for the last 5 years. I will miss his happy face. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
I love you, Uncle Gerald! I am proud to be your niece. I was at the 1995 lab dedication and am always impressed by all you did. Uncle Gerald made sure that his mother was taken of as well. I remember when he had a first floor bathroom put in for her, off her bedroom. He was always at weddings and family occasions. He would drive all night after seeing patients. Aunt Dorothy was so happy that he came to her husband’s funeral and made it in time. Of course, he would! Aunt Mimi had driven to Ct the day before. I remember Uncle Gerald stopping by our house in his little MG when he had patients to see at the (former) Park Ave Hospital. So exciting as a young child to have your uncle stop by on his way to cure people!
Mimi and family, I am truly saddened by this news. Sending you all love and peace. Doc was special and cared for by so many. Having lost my dear husband just three months ago I know the pain. God will bless you with healing. I plan to be home in July and if you up for company I will be there.
Mimi and family: So many memories from back in the ’70s when Bob and Jerry were in training. We have lost touch over the years but the memories of all the good times our families had together remain. Please accept our heartfelt condolences for your loss and know that you are in our prayers. Bob and Norma Easley
My deepest sympathies to the Ryan family. I was very saddened to hear of Doctor Ryan’s passing. Not only was he my cardiologist, he became a good friend. I grew to know Doctor Ryan; First, when I as the President of the Rochester Firefighters Union, Local 1071, turned to Doctor Ryan to provide a plan of action for many of my members who were suffering from heart disease and were Doctor Ryan’s’ patients.. Doctor Ryan was instrumental in educating me on how to help my members by having them practicing prevention. Second; when after a few years later, I became one of his patients. I will miss our chit chats at my yearly check-ups. I was enthralled by his life story and awed by his dedication to his patients and especially to Unity Hospital. When a Firefighter passes we salute him for a job ‘Well Done’. To Doctor Ryan, We Salute You, not only for a job ‘Well Done’, but also for a Life Well Lived. I will truly miss him. May He Rest In God’s Love.
My deepest sympathies to the Ryan family.. I remember so fondly when Dr. Hilal sent me to Rochester to learn some new Cardiology procedures. Dr. Ryan organized it all and kept me under his wing. Including having me to your home for dinner. May God Bless and comfort you during this sad time.
Our condolences to the Ryan family. I knew Dr. Ryan for 32 years. In 1985 I was secretary on 3300 at Park Ridge Hospital. In 2005 my husband had a heart attack Dr. Ryan and Dr. Patel put a stent in Frank right from the emergency room. Dr. Ryan followed him yearly with office visits and stress tests. Frank always liked Dr. Ryan. Franks last visit was in Dec 2016. He will be greatly missed.
Our hearts have a hole in them that medicine can’t cure. Rest in peace, Dr. Ryan. You will be missed
Our prayers are with you all , Dr Ryan saved my husbands life when he had quad bypass at 42 years old and has been an advocate for us in keeping him in great care since . He will be missed by our family immensely. He had a huge impact in our lives . God bless his family .
So sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Ryan, I am truly blessed to have been fortunate enough to have met you , worked for you, and learned from you . Dr. Ryan you are a legend and will never be forgotten. Thank you for being the man you are , with all your foresight, hard work and dedication . If not for you I might not have had the chance to learn what it is like to work on a farm. I learned how to drive a tractor , bail hay , pick rocks out of a field by hand. Because you were willing to teach hard work , I am a better man Thank you Dr. Ryan for some valuable life lessons. My you rest in peace with a cold drink in your hand , you earned it
Sorry for your loss Gerry was a kind and generous man I loved talking to him he always had an opinion about everything and most of the time it was correct. He will be missed and remembered
Trish,my deepest sympathies to you and your family. Your dad had a remarkable life!!
We are so saddened to here of Dr. Ryan’s passing, we have nothing but fond memories of his office visits. My husband first met Dr. Ryan in 1999 when he went to see him because of chest pains and he received an angiogram and found that he had 2 95% blockages. Dr. Ryan then sent him to Rochester General Hospital to have his stents put in, and this had saved his life. Dr Ryan was a most generous and caring person who really listened to his patients and we both benefitted from his advice over the years. It will be hard to find a Doctor as good as Dr. Ryan All the best to the Ryan family, may God Bless you all.
We are very sorry to hear the passing of Dr.Ryan, he is he M.D of my husband for almost 1o years now. We like and respect him so much and we will greatly missed him.We are going to pray for him everyday for the repose of his soul. We are sure that he is now in heaven with the Father. the Son and the Holy Spirit. To Mary and the Children may God bless you all our prayers are with you in this very sad time. Peace and respect to all. Eugene and Marciana Dollard, M.D,
With great sadness we learned of Dr. Ryan’s passing. Dr. Ryan healed the hearts and souls of many of our family members with care and compassion and was always there when needed. He always had a good joke and loved to hear of how Dad used duct tape in unusual ways! Rest in peace dear Doctor. Prayers of strength to his family.
Deepest sympathy to you Mary and loving family.Gail and I will never be able to thank DR Ryan for all he did for us.I will always remember his stories and never forget how he came to visit in hospital even after church and holidays.We will never forget you.You will be missed..
Dr Ryan made me laugh for over 25 years, RIP,!! Will be miss. Production Chef Unity Hospital
I’m truly sorry for your loss. Dr. Ryan was an excellent which I got to experience first hand. Dr. Ryan took care of my dad and me with our heart issues. My deepest condolences. Much love Doc Ryan from your Dannemora Lady.
Kind sympathy in this your time of bereavement. Dr Ryan was a great physician and a greater friend. He was always enthusiastic and optimistic. He will be missed.
My entire family extends our sympathies and prayers for your Husband and the Father of your children. Dr. Ryan was a friendly, helpful and a generous person to everyone he came in contact with. My wife, Kathy, worked for Dr. Ryan before the Doctors split up, but she always had good words to say regarding Dr. Ryan as a Boss, and as a friend. I remember Dr. Ryan would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Again our most sincere condolences to you and your families loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family always/
My sincere sympathies to the Ryan family. With sadness did I hear of Doctor Ryan’s passing. I have very much enjoyed working with him at Unity over the years and will dearly miss his humor, expertise and compassion. And not to forget the excellent maple syrup.
My sincere sympathy to Mimi and family. I enjoyed working in the office and will never forget Dr. Ryan. They are sweet memories. He loved his family and his patients. May he Rest In Peace. Kathy Fey Errigo
Sorry for your lost he was a great doctor l will miss him
THE ENTIRE ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. MY CONDOLENCES AND RESPECT TO ALL FAMILY.
Tricia, Mrs. Ryan and family, Remembering Dr. Ryan and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers this week. Sincerely, Nora Senecal
Accept my condolences. You were a great man, educator, clinician and a nice story teller. Full of life and zest. I will miss you. Dr Ryan was my attending cardiologist at Unity Health System Internal Medicine Residency from 2011-2014.
Dr. Ryan taught me as a PA student in the early nineties, and was unfailingly a gentle yet firm preceptor, the very finest example of a gentleman, physician, and healer. He will be missed in direct proportion to his greatness, which is to say immensely and beyond compare.
Gerry Ryan has passed. I was honored to have worked with him at times since the 1980s. It was always reassuring to know he was on a case. One knew that a person was being taken care of, not just the patient’s disease.
Deepest sympathy to the family, Rest in peace.
I think I was the last hospital patient at Unity Hospital that doctor Ryan had. I am so greatful that he was my doctor and because of his expertise and compassion . He saved my life so I can live a strong and healthy life.I will miss his smile.My deep sympathy to the family.
Mimi and family, I had the distinct pleasure of working with Gerry from 1975-2013. He instilled in me a desire to know everything I could possibly cram into my head about cardiology…and then went about teaching me. A kind gentle man, an awesome teacher who expected much from this nurse, he never lost sight of the whole patient. He never just looked at a heart or a statistic. That’s what made him stand out among others. He loved his family dearly,enchanting the staff with stories about his Mimi. He always said you were a saint for putting up with him! He will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers reach out to the family.
So sorry! Graet man tought me alot. My gather William C & Doc were Good friends. You need to go a long way to find Men like That. RIP!!
My father, Fred F. Zucco, worked for the RPD as a police detective for many years. He was good friends with Dr. Ryan for many of those years. He was also a patient of his, as well as a lot of other law enforcement officers due to the extreme stress of the job, working double shifts etc. Dr. Ryan was an excellent cardiologist and gave our family excellent advice through the years. Whenever I would see him, he was happy to see me and would say, ‘Hey Zucco’s daughter, how’s it going?’ I loved him! He was very stern/strict with my father and would ‘tell him like his!’ He was very nice and caring and would tell me stories of how he would drive a truck load of corn to Buffalo at 3 a.m. before going to work. He would say ‘ya gotta make hay while the sun shines!’ During the 1991 ice storm when all the roads were closed and a sheet of ice, he drove his tractor to work at the hospital. That’s how dedicated he was to his patients. He would also bring in baskets of fresh corn to work for everyone to enjoy. He will be greatly missed, he was a good man and a pioneer in his field of medicine. Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to his family. My God bless you. Sincerely, The Zucco Family
Dan, Your Dad sounds like a Great Man! Our prayers are with you and your family. Best to you all! Sincerely Ralph
Dr. Ryan Was one of my favorite to cook for at Unity Cafe. He always has some tips on produce and what a good time and place to get some. especially at his stand that had Amazing Corn! I will miss his smile and thumbs up when the sandwich met his expectation. I will keep him and his family in my prayers always. May God Bless you and all your family. Sincerely, Johnny ‘Jake’ Andreano’ Hot off the Grill ‘, at Unity Hospital
I have since moved to Kansas, (2010) and just saw this. He was the best heart doctor I have ever had. He was honest but to the point. He helped me change some habits so I could feel better. I remember his office being filled with miniature tractors and farm animals. It was just fun going in there to see them all. Many prayers to Mrs. Ryan and the family. A man who knew medicine for sure, he will be missed.
My father Dr Thomas J. Murnane ( Georgetown ’61) went to medical school at Georgetown with him and was his roommate at House #1 at DC General Hospital. He was was reminiscing tonight and we found this obituary. He sends his condolences.
thinking about you on this late night grandpa, i love you