Charles J. Ryan

Charles (Chalie) John Ryan, (74), of Baltimore, passed away after a fierce and brave battle with pancreatic cancer on November 19, 2019.

The family will begin receiving friends and family at 2:00pm on Saturday December 7th at Connolly Funeral Home of Dundalk with a Memorial Service at 3:30pm. After the service, the family invites everyone to join them at Kenny B’s in Dundalk (Chalie’s favorite spot) for light fare and cash bar. 

Chalie was born in Baltimore to Esther Wheatley and  Michael F. Ryan Sr. on December 7,1945. He was a dedicated employee of Sessa Sheet Metal of Baltimore.  He was a Vietnam war veteran and served in the United States Marine Corps until his honorable discharge to become a Baltimore City Narcotics Detective with the Baltimore City Police Department and Federal Task Force on Drug Enforcement. His career also included work as a paramedic and business owner of Century Investigation Agency and Joe’s Bar & Grill.

Chalie decided more than a year ago when first diagnosed that he wanted quality of life- not quantity. He lived his way and died the way he wanted by waiting until he had one last Marine Corps birthday on November 10th. Unlike most people, Chalie spent his hospice days going out on day trips and still visiting friends at Kenny B’s and RT’s nearly every day for as long as he was able.  He listened to 50s Oldies, enjoyed his convertible Mercedes, drank a Coors Light or Root Beer schnapps, ate vanilla ice cream and watched Fox news.

His family wishes to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Tom Sessa and his staff for the kindness and understanding bestowed upon Chalie when he became unable to work as he once did. We also want to share our sincere and loving gratitude and unwavering admiration of the doctors and staff at the Loch Raven VA Long Term Care and Hospice facility. You all are truly and amazingly dedicated, kind and patient.

Chalie is preceded in death by his brother Mickey Ryan. Chalie is survived by his daughter Cyndi Ryan and George, son Eric Ryan and wife Lisa. Daughter Angela Donahue-Lapinski and her husband Donald. Brother Michael Ryan and his wife Kathleen. His grandsons Shawn, Jacob, Nicholas and Kelly Ryan and grandaughters Kelsey and Karley Donahue, and Crystal Anderson. Chalie is also survived by Michael Dunkle, John Sellers and Dawn Sellers. Former wife Bernadette Carter and former common-law wife Jeannie Hanson. In addition, he is survived by dear lifelong friends Reg Ranahan, Danny Bowling and preceded in death by friend RT Machin.

In lieu of flowers, the family strongly encourages and prefers monetary donations to Anderson-Snyder Memorial Fund in Chalie’s memory. The foundation serves veterans in the name of two fallen Marines- Norm Anderson and Josh Snyder. Checks can be made payable to: Anderson Snyder Memorial Fund 21304 W Liberty Road Parkton, MD 21120.