James M. Ryan

Heavens to Murgatroyd! James Murphy Ryan died on May 17, 2014, in the loving embrace of his wife, Anita. Born in Grand Island, NE on July 5, 1936, he graduated from Grand Island High School in 1954 and married Anita Krohn in 1957; he served our country in the US Army between 1958-61. A genuine Irish genius and proud member of Mensa, The Denver Santa Claus Shop Board of Directors and All Souls Catholic Church, in addition to feeding the hungry through his career with the USDA Food Stamp Program (retired 1992), he kept food banks and shelters well stocked with produce and goods from the local grocery stores in Littleton, Englewood and surrounding area and served the Best Dinners Ever to countless family members, parish priests, neighbors and friends. Survived by Anita, son Michael (Jerra), daughters Maureen Novitsky (Bill), Ann Ryan, Ellen Hamburg (Scott), KaCee Zimmerman (Stacey), Molly Ryan and Meaghan White (Scooter), and was Papa to 24 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Jim was a friend to many, a stranger to no one, and is enjoying a reunion with his parents, family, friends and others who preceded him in death. A Rosary will be held Thursday, May 22, 2014, 7:00 PM, at the Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial 80122. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, May 23, 2014, 1:00 PM, at the All Souls Catholic Church, 4950 S. Logan St., Englewood, 80113. Memorial contributions may be made in Jim's honor to The Denver Santa Claus Shop, PO Box 102104, Denver, CO 80250-2104. Please share your memories of Jim and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.