Kenneth William Ryan, 91, of Merrimack, New Hampshire, died peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2026. Known as Kenny, he was a longtime resident of Ravencroft in Merrimack and was remembered for his military service, long professional career, love of golf and fishing, and strong devotion to his family.
Ryan’s life included service as a U.S. Marine during the Korea War era, more than four decades with the Southern New England Telephone Company and more than 20 years working as a golf starter at Green Meadow Golf Course in Hudson, New Hampshire.
He also enjoyed fishing, golf, trips to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, time with his family and caring for the many dogs he had throughout his life. His family has arranged a joint service for Kenny and his late wife, Joan, where they will be laid to rest together.
Latest Update: September 30, 2026
As of September 30, 2026, the death of Kenneth William Ryan is confirmed through the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, which published his obituary following his death on September 25.
The official obituary identifies Ryan as a 91-year-old resident of Merrimack. It says he passed away peacefully and had been a longtime resident of Ravencroft in Merrimack.
His funeral arrangements have also been announced. A joint service for Kenny and his wife Joan is scheduled for November 6 at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Chapel in Boscawen. Ryan will receive military honors, and the couple will be laid to rest together.
Who Was Kenneth William Ryan?
Kenneth William Ryan was a New Hampshire resident whose life combined military service, a long working career and strong connections to his family and community.
Although he spent the later part of his life in New Hampshire, Ryan was born in Connecticut and lived in the Hartford area for the first 60 years of his life.
After serving in the Marine Corps during the Korea War era, he began a long career with the Southern New England Telephone Company. He remained with the company for more than 40 years before retiring.
His retirement did not mean that Ryan stopped working. After moving to New Hampshire, he became the golf starter at Green Meadow Golf Course in Hudson, a position he held for more than two decades.
Early Life and Connecticut Years
Ryan was born in Connecticut. According to his obituary, he spent the first 60 years of his life living in the Hartford area.
The obituary does not provide extensive information about his childhood, parents or schooling. Those details have therefore not been added here without verification.
His early adult years eventually led to military service and then a long career in telecommunications.
Military Service
One of the important chapters of Ryan’s life was his service in the United States Marine Corps during the Korea War era.
His obituary describes him as a proud Marine who carried that pride throughout his life. He was reportedly rarely seen without his red Marine Corps hat, which became a recognizable part of his appearance.
The available obituary does not specify Ryan’s exact military rank, enlistment date, military occupation or individual assignments. Those details should not be assumed.
His final service will include military honors at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, reflecting the importance his military background held in his life and family history.
Career With Southern New England Telephone
Following his military service, Ryan built a career with the Southern New England Telephone Company.
He worked there for more than 40 years, making telecommunications a major part of his professional life.
The obituary does not identify his specific job title or department within the company. What is clear is that the position provided him with a professional career lasting several decades before his retirement.
His long tenure reflects a working life that remained connected to the same organization for much of his adult career.
Life in New Hampshire
After spending approximately six decades in the Hartford area, Ryan moved to New Hampshire.
He became a longtime resident of Ravencroft in Merrimack. The community became his home during the later decades of his life.
His move to New Hampshire also opened a new chapter in his working life. Following retirement from the telephone company, he became a golf starter at Green Meadow Golf Course in Hudson.
More Than 20 Years at Green Meadow Golf Course
Ryan worked as the golf starter at Green Meadow Golf Course for more than 20 years.
The position became an important part of his identity after retirement. His obituary says he was widely known and well loved in that role.
Being a golf starter gave Ryan an opportunity to remain connected to people and the activity he enjoyed. Golf was not simply a job for him after retirement; it was also one of his longtime personal interests.
The combination of his golf career and his enthusiasm for the sport made the Green Meadow position a natural fit during the later part of his working life.
Love of Golf and Fishing
Golf was one of Ryan’s major interests, but fishing was another important part of his life.
He particularly enjoyed sitting on the dock at Squam Lake and casting for bass. His obituary also recalls many fishing trips to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, where he pursued striped bass and bluefish.
There was also a humorous side to his fishing. Although he enjoyed catching fish, the obituary notes that he never actually ate the fish he caught.
Ryan also enjoyed driving his Jeep along the beach during trips to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. These activities gave him opportunities to spend time outdoors and enjoy places he loved.
Family and Wife Joan Ryan
Ryan’s family was an important part of his later life. He was married to Joan Ryan, his longtime wife, who died in 2025.
Rather than having separate final services, Kenny and Joan’s family has arranged for them to be honored together. They will be laid to rest together at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery following the November 6 service.
The joint service provides an opportunity for family and friends to remember the couple together and for Ryan to receive military honors.
Children and Grandchildren
Kenneth William Ryan is survived by his two children: Robin Ryan Keith of Hollis, New Hampshire, and Michael Ryan of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
His surviving grandchildren are Alan Keith, James Ryan and Michelle Ryan.
Ryan also leaves behind one great-grandson, Alexander Kenneth Keith, who shares his middle name.
The family structure described in the obituary shows several generations continuing his family name and legacy.
His Love of Dogs
Ryan was also known as a devoted dog lover.
Over the years, he had dogs ranging from small Corgis to a giant Saint Bernard. Regardless of size or breed, his pets received plenty of attention and affection.
The obituary describes him as someone who liked to spoil his dogs and sneak them a little food from the table.
That detail adds a personal touch to his obituary and helps illustrate the everyday character remembered by the people close to him.
His Dream of Becoming a Diner Chef
Ryan had a lifelong good-natured dream of becoming a diner chef.
He never pursued the dream as a professional occupation, but he found his own way to enjoy cooking. Many weekends, he cooked breakfast for his family.
That tradition became a way for him to combine his interest in food with time spent around the people he loved.
Cause of Death
The official obituary says that Kenneth William Ryan passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026.
It does not identify a specific illness, medical condition or other cause of death.
For that reason, no particular medical cause should be attributed to his death. The confirmed description is that he died peacefully at age 91.
Funeral and Burial Arrangements
A joint service for Kenneth and Joan Ryan is scheduled for November 6, 2026, at 12 p.m.
The service will take place at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Chapel in Boscawen, New Hampshire.
The couple will be laid to rest together, and Kenneth will receive military honors in recognition of his service in the Marine Corps.
The Cremation Society of New Hampshire’s Manchester office is assisting the family with arrangements.
What Kenneth William Ryan Will Be Remembered For
Ryan’s obituary presents a life shaped by service, work, family and hobbies that remained important well into retirement.
His military service was an important part of his identity. His more than 40 years with Southern New England Telephone represented a long professional career, while his two decades as a golf starter allowed him to continue working in a setting connected to one of his favorite activities.
His love of fishing, golf, dogs, cooking and family time also provides a picture of his life away from work.
His family will now remember those everyday moments alongside the larger milestones of his life.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Kenneth William Ryan |
|---|---|
| Known As | Kenny Ryan |
| Age at Death | 91 |
| Date of Death | September 25, 2026 |
| Residence | Merrimack, New Hampshire |
| Birthplace | Connecticut |
| Military Service | U.S. Marine Corps, Korea War era |
| Major Career | Southern New England Telephone Company, more than 40 years |
| Post-Retirement Work | Golf starter at Green Meadow Golf Course for more than 20 years |
| Wife | Joan Ryan, predeceased him in 2025 |
| Children | Robin Ryan Keith and Michael Ryan |
| Grandchildren | Alan Keith, James Ryan and Michelle Ryan |
| Great-Grandchild | Alexander Kenneth Keith |
| Cause of Death | Not specified; obituary says he passed away peacefully |
| Funeral Service | November 6, 2026, at 12 p.m. |
| Burial | New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen |
Reader Questions
Who was Kenneth William Ryan?
Kenneth William Ryan was a 91-year-old Merrimack, New Hampshire, resident who died on September 25, 2026. He was a Marine veteran, longtime telephone-company employee and longtime golf starter.
How old was Kenneth William Ryan when he died?
Kenneth William Ryan was 91 years old when he died. His obituary records his death on September 25, 2026.
When did Kenneth William Ryan die?
Ryan died peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2026. He was a longtime resident of Ravencroft in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Where did Kenneth William Ryan live?
Ryan lived in Merrimack, New Hampshire, during the later part of his life. He was a longtime resident of Ravencroft.
What was Kenneth William Ryan’s military service?
Ryan served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korea War era. His final service will include military honors at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery.
What did Kenneth William Ryan do for a living?
Ryan worked for the Southern New England Telephone Company for more than 40 years. After retiring and moving to New Hampshire, he worked as a golf starter at Green Meadow Golf Course for more than 20 years.
Who was Kenneth William Ryan’s wife?
His longtime wife was Joan Ryan, who died in 2025. Kenny and Joan will be laid to rest together following their joint service.
Who are Kenneth William Ryan’s children?
Ryan is survived by Robin Ryan Keith of Hollis, New Hampshire, and Michael Ryan of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He is also survived by three grandchildren and one great-grandson.
What was Kenneth William Ryan’s cause of death?
The official obituary does not give a specific cause of death. It says that he passed away peacefully at age 91.
When is Kenneth William Ryan’s funeral?
A joint service for Kenny and Joan Ryan is scheduled for November 6, 2026, at noon. It will be held at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Chapel in Boscawen.
Where will Kenneth William Ryan be buried?
Kenneth and Joan Ryan will be laid to rest together at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, New Hampshire. Kenneth will receive military honors.
What did Kenneth William Ryan enjoy?
Ryan enjoyed golf, fishing, dogs, cooking breakfast for his family and trips to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. He especially enjoyed fishing at Squam Lake and along the Massachusetts coast.
Wrap-Up
Kenneth William Ryan’s life stretched across more than nine decades and included military service, a career lasting more than 40 years, a second working life at a golf course and a close connection to his family.
He died peacefully on September 25, 2026, at age 91 in Merrimack, New Hampshire. His obituary remembers him not only for his professional and military accomplishments but also for the personal interests that brought him happiness, including fishing, golf, dogs, cooking and time with family.
His final farewell will also honor his relationship with his late wife, Joan. The two will be laid to rest together at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, with military honors recognizing Kenny’s service as a Marine.
For his children, grandchildren and great-grandson, his memory will extend beyond the dates recorded in an obituary. The stories of his fishing trips, golf-course years, family breakfasts, beloved dogs and lifelong Marine pride form the personal legacy left behind by Kenneth William Ryan.
Disclaimer
This obituary article is based on the current obituary published by the Cremation Society of New Hampshire and corroborating obituary information. Details not supported by the published obituary, including a specific medical cause of death, have not been added. Funeral arrangements and other information may change if the family or funeral home issues an updated announcement.
