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July 6, 1934
‘The Wealth of Dan Ryan’
Daniel Ryan was born in 1851, the son of Michael Ryan and Mary Ellen Fleming and was at the time of his death on July 6, 1934 considered one of the wealthiest men in Newfoundland. The other person of considerable financial wealth was his brother James.
Daniel was one of nine children. His other siblings were James (1842), Mary (1844), Margaret (1849), Patrick (1853), Michael J. (1856), John (1858), Nicholas B. (1860), Edmund J. (1863), and Frederick (1867).
On a column in the west transept, of the Basilica Cathedral facing the Blessed Sacrament Altar there is a tablet to the memory of the Hon. Daniel A. Ryan. Mr. Ryan, a Newfoundland merchant of high repute, was a benefactor of the Basilica.
Daniel Ryan became one of the wealthiest people in Newfoundland founding with his brother James a fishery supply and trading business with fishing stations throughout the province. Dan Ryan’s wealth has given rise to the Newfoundland expression “you’ll never have the money of Dan Ryan” or some variation.
The inscription on the tablet in the Basilica Cathedral reads follows:
Erected
to the memory of
Hon. Daniel A. Ryan
Knight Commander, Order of St. Gregory
A Benefactor of the Cathedral
Died July 6, 1934
Requiescat in Pace
The initials that accompany his name K.C.S.G designate him as a member of the Papal Order of Saint Gregory. Pope Gregory XVI originally founded this Vatican Order on 1 September 1831.
Awards of the Order are usually made on the recommendation of Diocesan Bishops or Nuncios (the Popes representative in a particular country) for specific services. Membership in the Order of Saint Gregory does not impose any special obligations.
For more information on this and other related subjects contact the Archives of the R.C. Archdiocese.
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