March 14, 1934
Centenarian Dies At Auburn
Rev. William Ryan, Who Recently Celebrated 101st Birthday Is Called Home.
Rev. William Ryan, who celebrated his 101st birthday on Jan. 21, a few days after he received an honorary degree of D. D. from Mount Allison University, passed away at his home in Auburn on Wednesday morning, March 7. Mr. Ryan had held many pastorates in the Maritimes, United States and Bermuda.
He was a son of Michael Ryan of Ireland, who had fought in the Battle of Waterloo, and who was within a few months of becoming a centenarian when he died.
Mr. Ryan's health had been poor the past year. His hearing was impaired and his sight practically gone, yet he took delight in memorizing new hymns. In early life he had memorized long passages of Scripture.
Known as "Father Ryan", he joined the church at River Philip in his youth, and began to study for the ministry. He attended Mount Allison University and in 1862 he was ordained in Brunswick Street Methodist Church, Halifax.
He held pastorates at Charlottetown, Pugwash, Hantsport, Aylesford, Canso, Burlington, Nicholsville and other places in the Maritimes, and several in Bermuda. He also spent some years as Methodist Episcopal minister in the United States, holding pastorates at places in New York state. In 1892 he was chosen president of the Methodist Conference of Nova Scotia and he also had been president of the Berwick Methodist Camp Meeting Association.
He was an indefatigable temperance worker. In 1878 he made a trip around the world, and later lectured on it. When advancing years compelled him to relinquish the pulpit, he settled at Auburn, but was always ready to assist the church there, and on occasion he spoke in the Baptist Church.
He was twice married, his second wife having passed away a few years ago. He is survived by one son, Rev. W. M. Ryan of Trinity United Church, Windsor, and two daughters, Mrs. Mary Foster, in the United States, and Mrs. D. Andrews, with whom he lived.
The funeral service was held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock in the U Church, Aylesford, and was conducted by the Annapolis Presbytery.