michael W. Ryan

United States navy 1962-1966

vietnam war

seaman

navy unit commendation

Mike joined the United States Navy after graduating from Enfield High School. He served as a seaman on the submarine tenders USS Proteus and USS Hunley. The USS Proteus received the Navy Unit Commendation for her accelerated deployment of all SSBNs during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

During the time he was stationed in Holy Loch, Scotland, he met his wife, Monica. After they returned to the states, Mike began a career in photography, owning and operating a studio that served Enfield and surrounding areas from 1972 to 2003.

He was a resident of Enfield, most of his life and was very involved in community service, including appointments as a Town Constable, Justice of the Peace and Thompsonville Fire Department Commissioner. Mike was also involved for many years with the Enfield Republican Town Committee, as both a member and as chairman. His political involvement extended to serving on the Enfield Town Council for several years.

Mike’s civic involvement also included many years with the Enfield Jaycees, where he was a founding member of several town wide functions that the community enjoyed, including the Brainerd Park Halloween Haunted House. He was named a Connecticut JCI Senator for his years of service to the organization.

Mike was a founding member and chairman for many years, of the 4th of July Town Celebration Committee of Enfield. He took great pride in the spirit of volunteerism the July 4th celebration brought forth from the committee and citizens and the growth of the event through the years.

Mike had two adult children and four grandchildren when he passed away in 2014.