The late Clem Ryan was a man of many diverse and diffuse parts. /firstly, and most important to him, a family man. Originally from Corbally in Limerick, he came to Dublin at an early age.
In 1946 Clem met Eithne Collins, from Blackrock in Dublin, wooed and married her. In the fullness of time they were to be blessed with two daughters, Joan and Paula. And there began a textbook happy and united family. It is accurate to say that Clem adored his children and grandchildren and they, in turn, him. Retrospectively, it is not hard to see why this should have been. In retirement, he and Eithne looked after their grandchildren as their own: nothing was too much or regarded as a chore. Rather, enjoyable jaunts in the company of appreciative children.
A keen and astute businessman' a sportsman; a literary man and a theatre man. Do the sum of these parts add up to a Renaissance man? Or perhaps a man for all seasons? The answer must be, yes. In all these areas of life Clem was active up to the last of his 89 years. And that outgoing personality and warmth were also there. Perhaps these are somewhat cliched terms, but they are the appropriate ones to describe this man who, on first meeting, always stretched out a firm hand and put all-comers at ease.
Then there was the joke of the day. He seemed to have a new and original (and sometimes deliciously risque) story for every occasion. But they were never told at anyone's expense, or in a manner remotely offensive - just funny. Then would follow a tale about "the one that got away" on his most recent fishing expedition, particularly each May on the Corrib for the mayfly.
He joined, initially, Bray Gold Club and subsequently, in 1948, the Castle Gold Club, where he played every Thursday and Sunday until 1996. His particular partners were called "The Good Companions" and, doubtless, played no small part in having him elected a life member of the club on December 12th, 1991. A proud and memorable day, not alone for him, but also for Eithne, Joan and Paula.
The, there would be his latest book. Sensibly, he spoke little about work, except for the occasional interesting anecdote: a sign of his keen sensibility and awareness that most people are only moderately interested in the minutiae of other people's professional lives.
Clem's professional career, for the greater part, was with The Irish National Insurance Company, and for a brief period with the insurance brokers, Lloyd, Armstrong and Ramsey. In the course of his duties he encouraged many valuable and lasting supporters in the direction of the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society. And, when they were comfortable settled in as members and least expected it, he would ever-so-discreetly introduce the subject of more tangible support for some project or some production being mounted at the Gaiety Theatre or the National Concert Hall. He was honorary general secretary of the society for 21 years, and was elected an honorary life member - a distinction accorded to very few since the foundation of the Society in 1913. He became president in 1987, an honour which he greatly appreciated. Yet, his innate modesty had him grumbling perpetually about having to wear the ceremonial chain of office on public occasions. However, he lived in the proud knowledge that three generations of his family were to be active participants in the Society.
To his wife Eithne, his daughters Joan and Paula, his grandchildren and his extended family, we offer our sympathy and give thanks for Clem's long and happy life. The angels have surely led him into Paradise and the saints and martyrs greeted him.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis, S.H.