Gary Robert Ryan

PLATTSBURGH | Gary Robert Ryan, 71, of Plattsburgh, passed away early in the morning Jan. 24, 2022, after a long illness surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born Feb. 12, 1950, in Lyon Mountain, the son of James and Audrey (Good) Ryan. Gary married Janice Yanulavich on April 28, 1973, at St. Bernard's Church in Lyon Mountain. They went on to have three children – Kelly, Amy, and Matthew, and eight wonderful grandchildren. Throughout their 48 years of marriage, Jan and Gary provided an unwavering example of devotion and commitment to one another and a source of strength to their family. Gary graduated from Lyon Mountain High School in 1968, then went on to SUNY Plattsburgh, earning a B.S. in Secondary Education, an M.S. in Education, and a CAS in School Administration.Gary began his career in education as a social studies teacher at St. Peter's school from 1973 until 1977. In 1977, he extended his role by becoming an athletic director to his title at St. John's Academy until 1988. He briefly left St. John's Academy during the 1988-1989 school year to teach social studies at Beekmantown Central School. He returned to Catholic education the following year as assistant principal and athletic director at Seton Catholic Central, roles he held from 1989 until his retirement in 2009. During his decades-long career, Gary positively impacted the lives of students in the classroom and school hallways, and on the field and ice His sometimes-brutal honesty, high expectations, and dedication to the student body have left a lasting impression on thousands of former students and coworkers. In addition to his formal titles, Gary served in many capacities around the halls of St. John's and Seton Catholic; bat removal, sewage repairs, and barber to unwilling students being just a few. Although a steadfast educator, his greatest love was coaching. Gary began his coaching career by founding the Lyon Mountain Hockey Association initially on ponds and then moving to the former Lyon Mountain mine powerhouse. In 1975, he combined his love of education and athletics when he began coaching varsity hockey, basketball, baseball, and football at St. John's Academy. Gary later coached at Seton Catholic. Spanning across 18 years on ice, Gary led his teams to 15 sectional championships, 13 league championships, 2 state championships, and 6 final four appearances. He was also dedicated to local youth hockey, first coaching Matt and then later his grandchildren for Plattsburgh Youth Hockey. On the football field, although winning only nine sectional titles, Gary positively influenced hundreds of student-athletes through his never-wavering tough love and work ethic. Following the merger of Seton and Plattsburgh High School football programs, Gary continued to coach until his health was prohibited. Gary was awarded the CVAC Ice Hockey and Football coach of the year a combined 16 times. In 2010, Gary was inducted into the New York State High School Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Sports were not just present professionally, they were also a constant in his personal life. Gary was an avid Red Sox fan, as proven by his frequent excursions to Boston. He spent a great amount of time golfing, hiking, and cross-crossing skiing. Upon the birth of his grandchildren, he expanded his spectating to not just sporting events, but also dance recitals, kindergarten graduations, and Halloween parades. If Gary's health had not been prevented, he would have loved nothing more than to still be on the ice and the bench with his grandchildren. Instead, he still watched games remotely until the day before his passing. Remaining to cherish Gary's memory are spouse, Jan; children, Kelly (Andrew), Amy (Nicholas Chase), and Matthew (Kate); grandchildren Audrie, Andrew, and Elijah BIlow, Colby, Carter, and Caleb Chase, and Benjamin and Josephine Ryan. Preceding Gary in death is his parents, James & Audrey Ryan, in-laws John and Madeline Yanulavich, and his sister, Noreen Baker. Visitation was held Jan. 27, from 3-6 p.m., at Brown's Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Funeral services were held Jan. 28, at 10 a.m., at St. Peter's Church with Fr. Reamer officiating. Interment will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery later this spring. As Gary was a passionate advocate of Catholic education and an active member of the Catholic community serving as an altar server and eucharistic minister, donations in his memory may be directed to Holy Cross Catholic Parish or Seton Catholic Central.

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