Fr. Paul Ryan died on December 2, 2011, in San Antonio, Texas. He was 95 and was a Marianist for 78 years.
Paul Ryan was an only child born to William and Agnes (Murphy) in Springfield, Massachusetts, on February 20, 1916. When Paul was 5 years old, the family relocated to Wichita, Kansas. After being taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph in grade school, he met the Marianists at Cathedral High School in Wichita. Paul said his mother was reluctant to let her only child enter religious life, but he “liked and respected the brothers” and decided he wanted to be one of them.
On July 30, 1930, Paul left for the Maryhurst Postulate in Kirkwood, Missouri. He entered the novitiate two years later and professed first vows on August 15, 1933. After earning a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University, Paul began a long career as a Catholic educator. Between 1936 and 1941, he taught at Central Catholic in San Antonio and Holy Redeemer in Detroit, Michigan.
After receiving a master’s degree in philosophy from Catholic University in 1943, Paul began seminary studies at St. Meinrad in Indiana and was ordained on February 2, 1945. Between 1945 and 1951, Fr. Paul taught in the St. Louis area at the Maryhurst Postulate and McBride High School. Fr. Paul taught religion, social studies, English and Latin. Fr. Paul also served as a chaplain. After spending two years at St. Joseph High School in Victoria, Texas, Fr. Paul returned to St. Louis to teach for four years at St. Mary’s High School.
Fr. Joe Uvietta met Fr. Paul when he was a novice and Fr. Paul directed one of their retreats. “I found him to be a very good priest and chaplain,” Fr. Joe said. “It was never boring to be with him.”
Fr. David Paul met Fr. Paul when he was a junior at St. Mary’s High School. He remembers Fr. Paul as an excellent teacher and chaplain who was beloved by the students.
“He was the type of priest all the guys wanted to visit for confession,” Fr. Dave said. “He was gentle and pastoral but also funny and could relate to the students. He made religion attractive to high school boys.
“He was a great pastor, and that’s about the best thing you can say about someone. He was a big influence on my life and vocation.”
Fr. Paul served at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio between 1957 and 1960 and then worked in development for the Province for four years. Fr. Paul returned to McBride in 1964, where he was a well-loved assistant principal and principal.
Richard Ganahl, McBride class of 1969 and student vice president, described Fr. Paul as a “no-nonsense Catholic man of action who stood strong in a time of constant change.” Ganahl said, “He knew the first and last name of all 600+ McBride men, and took an active interest in our lives. He was quick to laugh, and a friend and mentor to all.”
Another McBride graduate, Don Coffey, also remembers Fr. Paul’s interest in students. “Early in my freshman year, Fr. Ryan called me by name in the hallway to ask how things were going and if I needed anything from him. He made a point of roaming the halls between classes to talk with students. Fr. Ryan was one of the reasons McBride was such a special school.”
Fr. Paul served one year at Daniel J. Gross High School in Omaha, Nebraska, before moving on to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in 1972. He was appointed registrar and loved serving at the university. “Our students are top-notch” he would say.
Fr. Paul was known around St. Mary’s for his cigar, which was a constant companion, the large number of confessions he would hear, and his ability to keep his sermons powerful, yet short.
“I can’t stand long sermons,” Fr. Paul would say. “The mind can only accept as much as can the seat of the pants.”
Fr. Paul kept long days at St. Mary’s before retiring in 1986. They started with 7:35 a.m. Mass and his office lights burned late into the night as students and alumni sought his pastoral advice.
Bro. Joe Grieshaber knew Fr. Paul for many years but first lived with him in community while Bro. Joe was the director of the Marianist Residence in San Antonio. He recalls Fr. Paul as a cheerful man with a love of rocky-road ice cream. Bro. Joe said Fr. Paul loved being a priest and would celebrate the Eucharist for the community five times per week.
Fr. Paul said he never regretted joining the Marianists. In 1984, as his formal ministry was winding down, he commented: “Time has gone by so fast. Where did all those years go?”
May he rest in peace.
Fr. Ryan's Obituary is furnished by Diane Guerra, National Communications Director, Marianist Province of the US, St. Louis, MO, and will be published in the St. Louis Review and Today’s Catholic in San Antonio, TX. Ms. Guerra is a 1970 graduate of Rosati-Kain, St. Louis, MO and a friend of McBride HS. Photos are courtesy of Marianist and the McBride Alumni Asso.
The older I get the more I appreciate Fr. Ryan. One afternoon after lunch I had the misfortune of being caught by Mr. Moore chewing gum in class. Mr. Moore instructed me to move my desk to the hallway just outside the door. I no sooner got settled in when Fr. Ryan rounded the corner and inquired why I was in the hall. After my explanation Fr. Ryan looked at me and said, "Very well Mr. Laughlin, carry on." I'm not sure why this story means so much to me but it does. I wish I had known him better, for in that brief encounter I caught a glimpse of what a fine man and educator Fr. Ryan was.Pat Laughlin, McBride, '70
In religion class Fr. Ryan taught me how to actually live a Catholic moral life as a teenager. It carried in to my adult life. I am indebted to him in a way I cannot pay him back. I trust God will reward him appropriately.
Bob Brown, McBride, '65
Padre Ryan was a tough guy but he had his soft spots.
Dennis Ganahl, McBride, '71
MAY HE REST IN PEACE
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