This gentleman raised some incredibly influential children and, therefore, left an impressive legacy that will not be forgotten.
Without him, Maura Ryan would not have been one of my favourite teachers, nor would she have instilled some very valuable lessons into me that were no-doubt passed down to her, and that I am currently passing down to my own students; as I, too, became an English Teacher. I am 28 years old now but what I learned from her, over 12 years ago, will no doubt last my lifetime because of this man and his extraordinary guidance.
Ms. Ryan referenced her father frequently and was very proud of her family. She told us that her father often read the work from our class and I really enjoyed hearing the regular opinion of a man I'd never met but who clearly had so much enthusiasm to share! At this moment, I am quite crestfallen because now I will never get to see, in person, the origin of such a bright flame that inspired so much hope and love for life.
I eventually ended up doing a Combined Hons English and History degree myself and have travelled widely, as a result, to see the places we'd read about; like Vietnam where ... smashed those mirrors in 'What Were They Like' (I have seen the rice paddies personally.) I also needed to study some minor Irish history at university and although acknowledge that this great man kept his family safe and very well kept, his 4 children needed to develop emotional 'thick skins' to 'get ahead'; a quality I truly admire and still work to internalise.
95 is a tremendously good age and any of us would be very lucky to reach that, which tells us that Mr. Ryan was very well loved and taken care of by his family. I wish I'd had the privilege of meeting you.
My sincerest condolences are with this family and I can only wish them the best. I am merely a passer-by, 'blowing in the wind', but I know where I came from and am very glad I did some reminiscing today. R.I.P, Sir.
Marley Wharmby xXx
marleywharmby@hotmail.com
Marley Wharmby:
14/10/2021