Sad death of environmental campaigner, 53
TRIBUTES have been paid to a proud family man whose daughter is keeping his environmental work alive.
Mike Ryan, who has died aged 53, was worried about emissions from industry in and around his native Crymlyn Burrows and had campaigned for years against the nearby materials recovery and energy centre, which contains an incinerator.
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Mr Ryan's daughter, Abbey, made her dad a proud man by choosing to study environmental conservation at university.
She was 22 the day after he died.
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Mr Ryan's wife Jackie — nee Thomas — met the former coal worker in Swansea bar City Tavern during the miners' strike in 1984.
"I thought he was good-looking, and very charming," said the dental nurse.
The couple moved into a static caravan in Fforestfach in 1986 but got married more than a decade later, in 1999.
Mrs Ryan said her husband, who sustained an injury at work, was very handy around the house and a great neighbour to residents of Baldwin's Crescent, Crymlyn Burrows.
"He helped them out, drove people around and visited older people," she said.
"I know he was very well thought of."
Four years ago Mr Ryan, a keen fisherman, was diagnosed with leukaemia. He had three bouts of chemotherapy before a bone marrow transplant in August last year.
Sadly the operation was not as successful as hoped, and Mr Ryan was frequently in hospital in recent months.
Mrs Ryan said she planned to write a letter to the bone marrow donor — apparently a German woman — to thank her for giving her husband hope.
Mrs Ryan said the family, also comprising 14-year-old Josh, were doing their best to cope with their loss.
"It's like it's happening to someone else," said the 49-year-old, who plans to go back to work soon.
She said her husband had raised money for the Lymphoma and Leukaemia Fund (Wales), and would have done more for the charity had he lived.
Mr Ryan's funeral takes place on Monday at 11.30pm at Swansea Crematorium.
Comments
by hafodsam
Saturday, October 13 2012, 10:26AM
“Mike was a top guy who worked hard for the community. He spoke up when it was needed. I am very sad to learn of his passing.”