JOHN JAMES "JACK" RYAN, 87 of West Street Groveton died peacefully Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster after a brief illness. Born in Groveton on October 12, 1924 the son of Charles W. and Lena M. (McMahon) Ryan, Jack was a lifelong resident of Groveton and was a Graduate from Groveton High School class of 1942. After high school he served his country proudly during WWII in the US Army, 101st Airborne Division; 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment Company B; the Screaming Eagles. He was a member of the New England Chapter of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles; the American Legion Post #17 and the VFW post #6808 both in Groveton. Jack owned and operated Ryan's Fuel Services for over 30 years before retiring. After retiring he followed his passion of raising Belgian horses and spent most of his time at the barn or visiting friends at the garage. He was a past Fire Chief for the Groveton Volunteer Fire Department; he was a member of the St. Marguerite d'Youville Parish; the Groveton Foundation; and a past member of the Groveton Trailblazers. He had one of the first snow machines in the area. Jack is survived by his two daughters Teri and Rick Woodward and Jana and Richard Marshall all of Groveton; three grandchildren Haley and Corey St. Cyr of Dalton, NH; Ashley and Jared Clauss of Groveton; Allison Woodward of Deerfield, NH; one honorary adopted grandson Alan and Becky Woodward of Berlin; step-granddaughters Rebecca Marshall of Manhattan, NY; Nikki and Al Cormier of Lancaster; and Sam and Chris Canton of Groveton; four great-grandchildren Ian St. Cyr; Lia St. Cyr; Taylor Clauss and Ryan Clauss; three honorary adopted great-grandchildren Kyra Woodward; Nicholas Woodward and Aubrie Woodward; three Step great-grandchildren Kylie Cormier; Colin Canton and Parker Canton; his best friend, Moxie; one sister, Valerie and Robert Wallen of Venice, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife of 52 years Sally (Taylor) Ryan on January 21, 2009. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 7, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Armstrong-Charron Funeral Home in Groveton. Graveside funeral service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11:00 am in the St. Francis Cemetery on Brown Road, with Fr. Daniel Deveau pastor of the St. Francis Xavier Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jack's name to either the Groveton Ambulance Corp.; C/O Sandra Mason; 7 Arlington AVE.; Groveton, NH 03582 or the Northwoods Home Health and Hospice; 278 Main Street; Lancaster, NH 03584.