David Thomas Ryan

Hartford- David Thomas Ryan, 84, passed away Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Keystone Place at Newbury Brook, Torrington, with his two cherished daughters at his side. He was the beloved husband of 55 years of the late Dale Anderson Ryan.

        David was born in Torrington on April 18, 1939, the son of the late Edward and Margaret (Murphy) Ryan. He was a graduate of Torrington High School (1957), where he was class vice-president, member of the football team, and All-American swimmer, University of Maryland (1961), and Georgetown University (1965), where he received his Juris Doctorate. The first member of his family to attend college, he worked to save the tuition money and then worked his way through law school, attending classes at night. Other than his family, he was most proud of these accomplishments. In 1966, he served as a Clerk with the Connecticut Supreme Court and later practiced law for many years at Robinson + Cole. David was a member of the Hartford County Bar Association and the American College of Trial Lawyers. He taught law classes part-time at the University of Connecticut Law School. David was an avid cyclist, winning many championships. He enjoyed reading and cooking Italian food, which led him to take cycling trips through the Italian countryside with some of the top cyclists in Italy. 

        Survivors include two daughters, Rachael Ryan and her husband, Gregory Hawes, of Watertown, and Conor Ryan Tung and her husband, Richard, of San Francisco, CA; three grandchildren, Peyton Samuel Hawes IV (22) and Lachlan McIntosh Hawes (19), both of Watertown, and Linden Ryan Tung (8) of San Francisco, CA; a brother, William Ryan of Plymouth, MA; and three nieces, Lauren Ryan, Melanie O’Leary, and Elspeth Ryan Harris. David was predeceased by a brother, Edward Ryan.

        Memorial services will be held on a date to be announced.

        Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org/donate)

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