Winfrid Ryan, OFM

1916 – 1981

Fr. Winfrid Ryan, OFM, was born July 25, 1916 in Rockville, Conn. He worked in a Hartford, Conn., department store before entering the Holy Cross Brothers. Fr. Winfrid went to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., to study for the priesthood. He was received into the novitiate in 1941, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1945 and was ordained in 1947.

He taught at Bishop Timon High School, Buffalo, N.Y., and served at the Callicoon seminary as both teacher and prefect before being assigned as a professor to St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y. In 1963, Fr. Winfrid left the classroom and began retreat work in Paterson, N.J.

He gave retreats at the Sharon Retreat Center for two years before traveling to a ministry in Providence, R.I., where he was a gifted confessor and counselor. He also conducted RCIA classes and taught scripture there for more than a decade. Fr. Winfrid maintained a lifelong habit of study and reading.

He died on Feb. 15, 1981 in Providence. Fr. Winfrid was 64 years old, a professed friar for 38 years and a priest for 33 years.