Obituary of Dennis Martin Ryan

Dennis Martin Ryan, 58, of Clifton Park, passed away unexpectedly on May 21, 2012 at his place of employment in Clifton Park. Ryan was born on March 7, 1954 to Joseph and Harriet Ryan in Saranac Lake and raised in Chateaugay. One of two brothers, Ryan earned the nickname "Rooster" early in his youth among Chateaugay residents for his boisterous attitude, redish blonde hair, cowlick, and proclivity for "chasing hens." From a young age Ryan developed a fascination for the world of radio, making frequent visits to his older brother at SUNY Plattsburgh who ran the University's station for several years. Further exploring this interest, Ryan earned his 3rd Class Operator's License from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), giving him the ability to go on air - at the young age of sixteen. The same year marked the beginning of Ryan's lifelong love with Cadillac cars, receiving one on his sixteenth birthday. He attended St. Joseph's Academy, earning his Regent's Diploma in 1972 as well as the opportunity to attend Norwich University following his graduation. At Norwich, Ryan was the captain of the Color Guard and graduated with a B.A. in History, Government, and Pre-Law Studies. Simultaneously, Ryan pursued a cooperative opportunity between Norwich and Vermont College that allowed him to earn his A.S. in Criminal Justice in 1975. After graduating from Norwich in 1976, Ryan continued his quest for Radio greatness. Over time, he became known as a "turn-around expert" in the business, making lasting and changing impacts among countless radio stations across the nation. In 1991, Ryan earned the prestigious National Association of Broadcasters "Best of the Best" Award, given to only one broadcaster in the nation on an annual basis. Combining a childhood interest in toy trains with his love for radio, Ryan additionally piloted a project that lead to the on-air premier publication and narration of The Polar Express first in Dubuque, IA and later in Elmira, NY. Ryan's unforgettable and powerful voice provided the narration. Eventually, Ryan worked his way up to positions of leadership in the radio world, serving as President and General Manager of WIRD and WLPW-FM in Lake Placid and later as Vice President and Group Manager at Sabre Communications Radio Group in Elmira, NY, covering five stations in the area. However, Ryan was a man of many hats, both literally and figuratively if one took a look in his closet, and later successfully pursued careers as the Vice President of NASCAR Marketing at Cicci-Welliver Racing/NASCAR and, most recently, as a Financial Advisor at NPA Financial Services in Clifton Park, a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. While no one can deny his success as a professional, every person he affected with his larger-than-life attitude can agree that Ryan embodied the spirit of community and volunteerism like no other. During the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, Ryan was a commentator as well as the creator and producer of the Olympic Radio Network. Later he served as the Lake Placid delegate to the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo in 1984 and Calgary in 1988. A continued committed citizen to Lake Placid for years to come, Ryan also served as chairman of the board for the Lake Placid and Essex County Visitors Bureau, today the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. A true and unwavering patriot, Ryan was a strong presence in numerous community events throughout the years. He created and orchestrated Lake Placid's annual Fourth of July celebration Set the Night to Music - a unique and incredible experience combining his abilities with firework choreography as a certified pyrotechnician, radio, and music. Ryan's voice, unique and memorable in itself, could be heard at numerous sports events, including as an announcer at the Empire State Games. Ryan was also the founder and chairman for the J. Bernard Fell Olympic Torch Restoration Committee, displaying his commitment to maintaining the 'Miracle' of Lake Placid with the re-lighting of the 1980 Olympic torch at the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics. In 2010, he earned the prestigious title of Lake Placid's "Volunteer of the Year." A modern Renaissance Man, Ryan not only excelled professionally and in the community, his hobbies surpassed the every day and average, a testament to his high-achieving personality. Ryan was a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Licensed Pilot with an Instrument Rating and High Performance Aircraft Endorsement as well as an honorary member of both the Horseheads Village Fire Department and the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department. Ryan was also known for his quirky characteristics and sometimes inflated ego. His love for swiss cheese and Triscuits was unmatched in the world of appetizers, he enjoyed nothing more than a sip of Johnny Walker Blue Label, owned a fire truck or two in his day, and Lake Placid residents would hardly be surprised at a man dressed in an Elvis costume when Ryan was in town for a weekend. Ryan is survived by his wife of 18 years, Barbara Ryan, Clifton Park; his brother Joseph Ryan, Buchanan; Five sisters-in-law: Judy Scammell, Lake Placid; Gun Rand, Lake Placid; Mary Farr, Montoursville, PA; Daisy Ryan, Buchanan; and Terri Rand, Lake Placid; Five brothers-in-law: Don Scammell, Lake Placid; Jay Rand, Lake Placid; Dan Farr, Montoursville, PA; Steve Rand, Lake Placid; John Rand, Lake Placid; 12 nieces: Nikki Todd, Bozeman, MT; Ingrid Stanton, Lake Placid; Stephanie Farr, Glenolden, PA; Janne Rand, Albany; Denja Rand, Lake Placid; Stanzi McGlynn, Lake Placid; Tanner, Tess, and Tristin Stanton, Lake Placid; Jennifer and Julia DiPietro, Seaford; Leah Metzler, Lancaster, PA; and six nephews: Jeremiah Ryan, Patchogue; Tyler Rand, Lake Placid; Owen Rand, Lake Placid; Anders Stanton, Lake Placid; Jack DiPietro, Seaford; Luke Metzler, Lancaster, PA. Lake Placid held a special place in the heart of Ryan - so much that he married a local. The same can be said for Lake Placid's heart, which will hold a special place for the Elvis impersonator, firework choreographer, and dear friend that graced its streets for over 30 years. He will be remembered by his sage words of advice: "Always do the right thing. even when nobody is looking." Elvis has left the building. A service to honor Ryan will be held Friday, May25, 2012 at10:00 AM at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 169 Hillcrest Avenue, Lake Placid, NY. Rev. John Yonkovig will officiate. Burial will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Chateaugay, NY at the convenience of the family. The M. B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the J. Bernard Fell Olympic Torch Restoration Committee. Contact Info@RestoreTheTorch.org for more information. Relatives and friends are invited to " light a candle" and leave your thoughts, memories and prayers on our website at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com .