US veteran comes out in obituary
US Veteran Edward Thomas Ryan passes away at the age of 85. In his obituary, he reveals a secret he had guarded his whole life. People are deeply moved by this on the internet.
Colonel Edward Thomas Ryan of Rensselaer, New York, in the US, passed away at the age of 85 in early June. Ryan had served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was highly decorated for his military service. Later in life, he worked in his hometown as a firefighter and co-founded a local radio station.
However, his obituary on Legacy.com is not particularly noteworthy due to the listing of his familial connections, military accomplishments, and burial arrangements. The obituary concludes with a personal message that Ryan wished to share.
This message begins with the sentence: "I have one more thing to tell you." Without further ado, Ryan, who remained unmarried and childless throughout his life, then addresses the topic. "I was gay my whole life: in elementary school, in high school, in college, and throughout my entire life."
Despite the fact that Ryan never came out during his lifetime, he found "the love of his life," as he put it. "I was in a loving and caring relationship with Paul Cavagnaro from North Greenbush for 25 years. He passed away in 1994 due to complications from an unsuccessful medical procedure. I will be buried next to Paul."
"Rest in Peace"
Ryan expressed regret that he didn't have the courage to come out. "I was afraid of being rejected: by my family, friends, and colleagues." Upon seeing how people like him were treated, he couldn't do it. Now that his secret is out, "I will rest in peace."
The few sentences of the Army veteran elicited countless reactions on the internet. One person wrote: "My deepest condolences and may you and Paul find eternal happiness together. Thank you for your service. I'm sorry that you couldn't be completely yourself. Rest in peace."
The New York Times reported that Ryan had shown the obituary to his niece Linda Sargent and her husband Edward Sargent a month before his death. "Linda and I knew, didn't we?" Edward Sargent told the newspaper. "We never discussed it before because my uncle was a private person. So we never crossed that boundary. We knew, but we didn't say anything."
During the 25 years he was in a relationship with Paul Cavagnaro, Colonel Edward Thomas Ryan, a decorated US veteran, lived as a closeted LGBTIQ individual. Despite his fear of rejection, Ryan's obituary on Legacy.com revealed his homosexuality, providing a poignant message of hope and acceptance to the International community.
