Former racetrack owner and home builder Edward M. Ryan, age 88, of Upper St. Clair, passed away on Friday, June 1 in UPMC Mercy in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
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He was born on March 2, 1924, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Edward J. and Mary Reardon Ryan.
Ryan graduated from St. Bernard Catholic School and from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1941 with honours.
He was a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps in WWII and received a Purple Heart.
Ryan started out as a carpenter. He built a home in his spare time for himself and his bride. He got such a good offer on the home that he sold it before ever moving in. He decided that this was a good way to make a living and a good business to go into. His first company was Edward M. Ryan, Inc. Builders. This company eventually became Ryan Homes, Inc. Today Ryan Homes is recognized as one of the top home building companies in the United States. Due to Ryan’s leadership, Ryan Homes developed many innovative ideas, which have been copied by other building firms, “Ed could tell you to a 2x4 what it cost to build a house.” Ryan retired from Ryan Homes in 1973 after building 60,000 homes.
In the early 1970’s, he along with his lifelong friend Joe Hardy Sr., of 84 Lumber, purchased The Meadows Racetrack. Their introduction to computerized betting revolutionized the sport of harness racing in the United States.
Ryan cherished his faith, his family, and his friends. He was a lifelong philanthropist and had a great love for the city of Pittsburgh and its people.
On May 19, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Ann Chastaine Ryan, who died on October 22, 2002.
He is the loving father of Susie (Gus) Gillespie of Upper St. Clair, Tom (Linda) Ryan of Bethel Park, and the late Edward M. Ryan Jr.; cherished grandfather of Marty (Crissy) Gillespie, Casey (Nancy) Gillespie, Brian (Jennifer) Gillespie, Carrie Gillespie, Megan (Patrick) McDermott, Bonnie (Matt) Cramer, Sean Ryan, Devin Ryan, and Caitlin Ryan; devoted great-grandfather of 17; brother of James Ryan of Maryland, William Ryan of Ohio, and the late Adele Moritz.
Funeral arrangements by Beinhauers. Friends welcome at 2828 Washington Rd., McMurray 724-941-3211, on Sunday 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Church, Scott Twp. Interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Please due to severe allergies, absolutely no flowers. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Heavenly Cause Foundation for the Edward M. Ryan, Sr., Scholarship, Manor Oak #2, Suite 100, 1910 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Edward Ryan.