More detail on this person: Francis Orie Ryder was born on December 31, 1943 to Fran and Pauline Ryder. He was the oldest of five children and grew up in Athol, Massachusetts. He loved being outdoors and playing sports. He was a varsity football player at Athol High School and was selected to the Worcester County All-Star team. After high school graduation, he joined the Army and was selected for Officer Candidate School and Army flight school. He proudly served our country in Vietnam and flew multiple combat missions flying soldiers into battle and extracting wounded soldiers. He loved the Army, served 23 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. After the Army, Fran worked as the Director of Facilities for Saint Paul's School. He spent 10 years transforming the school into a modern campus and transforming the lives of countless students. Fran met Marilyn Ida Robens, the love of his life, and they got married in 1968. Fran and Marilyn were inseparable. They moved 12 different times, raised three children, and opened multiple real estate businesses. They were married for 55 years until his passing on January 10, 2024. Fran loved his children and spent countless hours watching them play sports. He was a devoted father who would skip work to spend time with his children. He loved to take the family camping and on long road trips. They drove cross country several times. Fran was loyal. He believed that if you kept your word your relationships would survive anything. He had several lifelong friendships. He was also very generous and would always help those in need. Fran is survived by his loving wife Marilyn; his children Kris, Troy and Sean; eight grandchildren; his mother Pauline; and his siblings David, Jeannie, Bob, and Johnny. In lieu of flowers, family request donations to be made to Friends of Vinh Son Montagnard Orphanage (www.friendsofvso.org)
This information was last updated 06/21/2024
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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