Long-time Fergus resident and retired high school teacher Reuben Ryan was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the eldest child of William and Jean (Fullerton) Ryan. After WWII, a teenaged Reuben took a job at the local rope factory, then moved on to his apprenticeship. In his early twenties, he made the decision to emigrate to Canada, arriving in Toronto to work as a tool and die maker. He worked on the famed Avro Arrow aircraft, and in his spare time taught at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio on Yonge St. (He had broad interests and was good at a lot of things.) Toronto was also where he met Margaret Davidson (herself recently arrived from Scotland) in a most Canadian setting: an outdoor skating rink. They married in 1958. Ten years later, they and their young family moved to Fergus, where Reuben became the sheet metal and welding teacher at the new tech wing at Centre Wellington District High School. He loved teaching, and wanted the best for every student. He started the co-op program at CWDHS, providing students real-world work experience with local companies. He coached soccer. He performed in the school musicals (memorably as Uncle Arvide in “Guys and Dolls”). His Arthur Murray experience came in handy when he taught the cast of “The Wizard of Oz” to jitterbug. As a teacher, he made a difference in so many lives. Even years after retirement, former students would stop him on the street to talk. He remembered each of them, and being Irish, he also loved to talk. But in recent years his sharp mind and zest for life were increasingly diminished by dementia. Reuben passed away peacefully at Groves Memorial in the early hours of Friday, July 9, 2021, after a brief hospital stay, a few months after celebrating his 90th birthday. He is survived by his loving wife Margaret; their children Jeffrey (Pascal Milelli), Craig (Charlotte Poliquin), and Steven; and nieces, nephews, and extended family in Canada and Northern Ireland. He will be missed by them and many more. A private gathering will be held at Graham Giddy Funeral Home. Thank you to Dr. Sarah Gower, her team, and everyone at Groves Memorial for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
www.grahamgiddyfh.com