Thomas Michael Ryan, 67, beloved father and grandfather, passed comfortably on October 4, 2010 from brain cancer. He took on his battle with a fighting Irish spirit. Tom was born on July 27, 1943 and spent most of his life in Manchester, CT. He graduated in 1961 from Manchester High School, served in the United States military and graduated from Central Connecticut State University. Tom spent 40 years in sales and sales management in the food, automotive and insurance industries. He proudly served as a member of the Manchester Democratic Party, holding positions on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Directors. In his later years, Tom spent time in Utah before returning to Manchester this summer after his diagnosis. Tom was an avid fan of UConn sports, Boston Red Sox and the Hartford Whalers. Tom is preceded in death by his parents: Paul Francis Ryan, Sr. and Kathryn McGuire Ryan and his brother Gerald Patrick Ryan. Tom leaves behind his four daughters: Erin, Meghan and husband Josh, Brieanne and husband Chris, and Maura and Victor, along with their mother Kathleen. Tom is survived by his brother Paul Ryan, Jr. of Connecticut, sisters Kathryn Ryan of Maine and Sheila Falkowski of South Carolina. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Finnegan and Landon, and a large extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Tom's family would like to thank the Tierney family for their lifetime of love and friendship. Calling hours are on Thursday, 10/14 from 5-8pm at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 W. Center St., Manchester, CT. Memorial services are on Friday, 10/15 at 10am at the John. F. Tierney Funeral Home and burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Tariffville, CT. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tom's memory may be made to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue at www.ygrr.org or to the Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Research at www.chriselliottfund.org. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.