Kenneth E Ryan

Kenneth E. Ryan, 87, of Oxford, NY passed away peacefully at home on April 28, 2023.

Kenneth Ryan was born on April 3, 1936 in Guilford, NY, to the late Julian and Irene Ryan.  Ken graduated from Guilford Central School in 1954. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University in 1958 and his Master’s Degree from Cornell University in 1959. He started his career with International Harvester, where he began his lifelong love of IH red tractors. He subsequently worked for Minneapolis-Moline and J. I. Case, before returning home to work at Bendix, Link Aviation, and Cornell University. In 1969 he started at Raymond Corporation where he worked for 32 years, retiring in 2001. Ken married Nancy Race on August 29, 1959 in the Oxford Baptist Church, after meeting on a blind date with other people.

Ken is survived by his wife, Nancy Ryan; his children, Patrick T. Ryan of Oxford, Kathleen L. Ryan and Susan D'Annibale of Valatie, NY, Timothy R. Ryan and Richard Cook of Norwich, and Maureen E. Ryan of Burlington, WI; his brothers, Leon Ryan of Stony Brook, NY and Patrick J. and Sandra Ryan of Oxford, and his sister, Mary Mulbury of Hinesville, GA; his sisters-in-law, Jeanne E. Race of Ft. Myers, FL and Sally R. Flynn of Estero, FL; and his beloved grandchildren, Lia Schmit, Clara Schmit, Colton Ryan, Sophie Ryan and Shaelan Ryan.

Ken was well known for his love of collecting and restoring IH tractors. Cigar-in-mouth, he used his “fleet” of 30 tractors and complete line of farm machinery to grow crops, make maple syrup and cut firewood & logs until just recently. In retirement he operated Canal Street Hardware and served as an advocate for agriculture and agricultural education by supporting 4-H and the Chenango County Fair and serving on the Chenango County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board. He served over 50 years on the Oxford Town Planning Board.

Memorial donations can be made in Ken's name to the Guilford United Methodist

Church.

Private services for the family will be held in Riverview Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, NY.

Family and friends may share memories and condolences by visiting behefuneralhome.com