John Cryan

Background

Cryan was born in Baslick, Castlerea, County Roscommon, and emigrated to the United States in 1948.

Career

He served in the United States. Army during the Korean War. He worked at the Prudential Insurance Company in Newark and as a bus driver with Public Service Transport before opening a tavern in the Vailsburg section of Newark. After serving as a Commissioner of the Newark Park Authority under Mayor Hugh Addonizio, Cryan ran for the New Jersey General Assembly in 1965.

He did not seek re-election to a second term in 1967, instead becoming Essex County Undersheriff under Sheriff Ralph Doctorate"Ambola.

He was re-elected in 1973 and 1976, but lost re-election in 1979 to Republican Charles Cummings.

Achievements

• When Doctorate"Ambola stepped down in 1970 after three terms, Cryan sought the post and won.