Friends, family and colleagues from across the Diocese gathered at Chester Cathedral for the funeral of Revd Tom Ryan, Assistant Curate at St Alban’s Broadheath on Monday 22 July. The service was led by the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner with a eulogy from Tom’s son, Joseph and an address from Revd Canon Richard Pike.
Married to Lesley, Tom was a father of five and a grandfather of five. Talking about his father’s family life, his love of performance and his career as a popular and distinctive barrister, his son, Joseph explained that Tom was born an orphan into an adopted family. He said, “He may have been alone when he came into this world but he leaves surrounded by love. There’s no better tribute than that.”
The Revd Canon Richard Pyke is a close family friend who also married Tom and Lesley. Sharing more of Tom’s “extraordinary and creative life” Revd Pyke quoted the following words from Rudyard Kipling’s poem, ‘The Thousandth Man’.
One man in a thousand, Solomon says.
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it's worthwhile seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
On what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend
With the whole round world agin you.
Reflecting on Tom’s life as a husband and a dad and a very able lawyer, Bishop Mark talked about Tom’s lifelong calling to ordination which was worked out latterly. Speaking before the service, Bishop Mark said:
“There’s something about the way that he just made people feel welcome. I remember even the last time I went to see him and it felt like I was supposed to be there looking after him but then as soon as I walked into the room he smiled in that extraordinary way and I just knew I was with a brother in Christ.
Listen to: Bishop Mark reflecting on leading Tom Ryan's funeral
As a retired judge, Tom was ordained in July 2023 at the age of 67, fulfilling a long-held goal and overcoming obstacles linked to his age and his calling later in life.
Speaking at the time of his ordination, Rev Tom said that wearing a dog collar and robes would be “akin to putting on the judge’s gown” and is looking forward to “being prepared to be identified.”
“My choice is to be recognisable, to wear a black shirt and collar to show the world what I do. That white collar makes you immediately recognisable.
“I’m going to feel a bit self-conscious about it because even at my age I can still feel slightly self-conscious about the way I look and the way I dress. But in a small way, there will be a sense of pride; pride that other people have recognised that there is something that you can do that may help make a difference.”
Read the full story of Tom’s ordination here