John W. Ryan, a well-known local music industry business man, died August 17, 2026 at Elderwood of Williamsville.  He was 85.

Born on April 20, 1941 to the late Frederic and Josephine Ryan. He lived his entire life in the

Lockport area. He was a graduate of DeSales High School and St. John Fisher College. While serving in the U.S. Air Force John was a member of the Air Force Drum & Bugle Corp and later served with the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service in Europe and the Far East.

Mr. Ryan spent his adult life involved with music. He was the former owner of Barone's Music House and was associated with Central Music Supply and most recently J.W. Ryan Music. He was a member and instructor for several marching organizations including the Albion Grenadiers Drum Corp, the Hamburg Kingsmen Drum Corp, Phase 2 Drum Corp and the Guelph Ontario Royalaires Drum Corp. His primary focus, however, was always the Medina High School Marching Band program. He served for almost 30 years with the legendary Directors Joseph McKain and Jim Steele. During that period of time, he saw the Marching Band take several NY State and National Championships. While working as the drill instructor for the band, his main responsibility was the Color Guard and particularly the Winter Guard program. As the Staff Coordinator and Guard Director, the Winter Guard rose to be one of the highest ranked in the U.S. John often spoke of the gratification that he felt when members of the Color Guard would return several years after graduation and express how being in the program had built their self-confidence and helped them to be a success. One of his former students recently said "I will never forget John's Rule Number One 'Never say I can't do that' - Remembering rule 1 helped me through many difficult times after I graduated". During this period, he served on the Executive Board of several Winter Guard organizations and in 2005 was named to the North East Circuit Hall of Fame. For many years John was a member of Lake Plains Players community theatre group and a charter member of the TNSC - a social organization that was dedicated to raising funds for local fire companies.

John is survived by his sister Joanne (Dave) Crimi, his brothers James (Cheryl) Ryan, Jeffrey (Denise) Ryan, the late Robert (Jerry) Ryan, several nephews and nieces.  He was especially grateful for the friendship of Ann, Katelyn and Marc. He had many close friends in the Medina community as well as the numerous instrumental music teachers at the 25 schools that he visited as part of the music business.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.