RYAN, JAMES WILFRED (1891-1956)

RYAN, JAMES WILFRED, railwayman; mayor of Newcastle, 1947-48; b. Newcastle, 8 Aug 1891, s/o James Ryan and Annie McLeod; m. 1917, Annie Beatrice Whalen, d/o James Whelan and Agnes Murphy, of Newcastle; d. there, 19 Jun 1956.

James W. Ryan was a career employee of Canadian National Railways from the time of its formation in 1917 until his retirement as supervisory agent at Newcastle in 1954. He was a member of the town council for several years and mayor for one year. He served terms as president of the Newcastle Board of Trade, the Newcastle Band, and the Holy Name Society of St Mary's Church. He was also a school trustee.

Ryan was ill for two years and was bedridden for a year prior to his death in 1956, at age sixty-four. He was survived by his wife, Annie B. Whalen, three daughters, and two sons.