Walter Ryan was born in Sussex, NB on July 30, 1929; he was the son of the late Thomas and Margaret (Purtill) Ryan. In 1952, Walter moved to Augusta, Maine where he was a pipe fitter and a member of Abnaki Council #334 3rd degree Knights of Columbus and Abnaki Assembly #346 4th degree Knights of Columbus of Augusta, Maine. In 1986 he and Ora moved to Leesburg, Florida where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Leesburg.