Background
He was born at Moruya, on the south coast of New South Wales to Michael and Elizabeth Ryan.
He was born at Moruya, on the south coast of New South Wales to Michael and Elizabeth Ryan.
After attending Saint Joseph"s College, Hunters Hill and the Sydney Technical College, he was an apprentice electrical fitter for Sydney City Council. He later worked as an electrical inspector for the Public Works Department. Having joined the Labor Party in 1933, Ryan became an alderman to Marrickville Council in 1948 at the age of 36.
He was elected Mayor of Marrickville in 1953, but resigned later that year when elected to the Legislative Assembly as member for Marrickville.
As well as representing this electorate in Sydney"s inner west, he was known as an advocate for providing services to the rural areas of the state. In this role, he was involved in the first part of the construction of the Sydney Opera House.
Amidst much criticism concerning the rising costs, he stood firm in support of the project, saying in 1964 "This building will bring great cr upon this country."
The Labor Party lost office in the 1965 election, and so Ryan"s term as Minister came to an education He continued to serve as the member for Marrickville, being elected a total of seven times.
He also served as a trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, a position he had taken up in 1959, until 1972.
His retirement came, after 20 years in parliament, at the 1973 election, when he offered to stand aside for the younger Tom Cahill, whose neighbouring seat had been abolished. He died 24 years later at Killarney Vale, on the central coast.
He was elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and served as Minister for Public Works from 1959-1965.