Larry Ryan

Larry Ryan, 78, of Hamilton, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on November 15, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Larry is predeceased by his parents, Leo and Rosemary Ryan, his brother Jerry Ryan, and his sister Maureen Rogers.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barb Ryan; his daughter Shannon (Darryl) and son Scott; his brother Kevin; and sisters Jean Laird (Harold) and Rosemary Bedard (Pierre). He was a devoted and proud Papa to his three granddaughters: Ryan, Sydney, and Kansas. Larry will be dearly missed by many friends and family especially his cousin and life long friend Mike Helferty.

Larry was born in Picton, Ontario, to Leo and Rosemary on June 4, 1947. He attended Prince Edward Collegiate Institute in Picton. Recruited straight out of high school, he began his career at Stelco Steel, where he worked as a machinist for 40 years. In recent years, to keep busy and stay connected with people, he worked part-time at Upper James PartSource.

When Larry first moved to Hamilton, he rented a room at a boarding house run by Mrs. Bradley on Lorne Avenue. It was during this time that he met his wife, Barbara Hinnells, and the two were married on June 9, 1973, in Picton. Larry treasured summers at the family cottage at Morrison’s Point in Prince Edward County and enjoyed fall getaways to Myrtle Beach.

Larry loved cheering on his children through years of hockey, lacrosse and ringette, but being a Papa was his greatest joy. Watching Ryan and Sydney play hockey, flag football, soccer, basketball—or whatever sport they were involved in—was one of his favourite pastimes. Their outings together, from chocolate milkshakes at McDonald’s to lunches during school breaks and in the summer on a patio, were moments he treasured deeply.

Larry also had a lifelong passion for music. If a local musician he enjoyed was performing, he would happily find a barstool and settle in to listen. It was a passion he shared with his daughter Shannon, creating a bond that lasted their whole lives. He passed that love of music down to his granddaughters as well. One of his favourite recent memories was attending a Beth Hart concert with Shannon and Sydney, an experience he cherished.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hamilton SPCA or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Larry’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to the St. Joseph’s ICU staff, especially Dr. Perri and the wonderful nurse Erica, for their exceptional care. Special thanks also to the PartSource staff who assisted him before the ambulance arrived.

At Larry’s request he has been cremated and a Celebration of life will take place in early 2026.

“Live a good life, because in the end, it’s not the years in the life but the life in the years”.

Abraham Lincoln