Joseph Francis Ryan, 81, husband of Nancy Welch Ryan, died Friday, October 16, 2015 following a brief illness.

He leaves his wife of 51 years, Nancy; his son William Ryan and his wife Tini of Jakarta, Indonesia, his daughter Patricia Sheehan and her husband Dana of Nahant, his son Joseph Ryan and his wife Melissa of Marblehead and his son Mark Ryan and his wife Shea of Marblehead; his brother William of Swampscott; sisters MaryLou Yanus of Medford, Irene Sincleair of St. Cloud, Minnesota and Claire Collins of Medford as well as many close friends. He was proud to be the grandfather of George, Joseph, Maria, Hannah, Nancy, Patty, Liam, Amina, Aidan, Caitlyn, Emma, Meghan Ryan and Julianne Sheehan.

Born and raised in Somerville the son of William and Irene Ryan, he was a resident of Marblehead for the past 50 years and spent much of the last ten years in Naples, Florida.

After graduating from St. Clement High School in Somerville, he entered the Navy and served aboard the USS Baltimore. Following graduation from Boston College and the New England School of Law, he became both a CPA and an Attorney. Using these skills, he founded the firm of Ryan and Coscia where he helped many deal with complex tax and estate issues. For many years he taught and mentored students at Salem State College.

Joe was an active member of both the Marblehead and Naples communities. Most recently he focused his efforts toward helping those in Florida by serving as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and the local Catholic Charities food pantry. Joe was an avid golfer, and was quite proud of the two "hole-in-ones" he scored in recent years. Most of all, he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and many friends, attending their events or just chatting.

The funeral Service will begin at 10:00 AM Thursday, October 22 from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street, (cor. of North St), Salem followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead at 11:00 AM. Visiting hours are Wednesday October 21, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Murphy Funeral Home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private. Please no flowers. Donations may be made in his memory to the Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement Fund (www.csjboston.org) 637 Cambridge Street Boston, MA 02135 or Habitat for Humanity of Collier County Florida (www.habitatcollier.org) 11145 Tamiami Trail East Naples, FL 34113. For additional information or online guest book please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.