Late Baldwinite honored at Molloy College

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Late Baldwinite Thomas Ryley was recently honored during a bereavement Mass at Molloy College, along with others who have died in recent months. Ryley, who died in March, worked at Molloy for 15 years as an adjunct history professor.

He contributed much to the Baldwin community as well. Among other things, he served as president of the Baldwin Interfaith Conference, volunteered for the Interfaith Nutrition Network in Freeport, was a frequent lector and usher at St. Christopher’s Church and was a member of the Ethics committee of South Nassau Communities Hospital.

Born Jan. 26, 1931, Ryley received a bachelor and master’s degree in Political Science from Rutgers University and a PhD in History from New York University. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant, and from the Army Reserves with a rank of captain.

He was a professor of history at the New York City College of Technology for 37 years, twice serving as its Social Science Department chairman. He became an adjunct professor at Molloy upon retirement.

He wrote four books, numerous articles and fulfilled speaking engagements.

Ryley also frequently wrote letters to the editor to the Baldwin Herald.

He is survived by his wife Mary, his three sons and their wives Thomas (Jennifer), Christopher (Amanda), and Timothy (Lisa), 6 grandchildren, his brother Richard, nephews, grandnephews and nieces and cousins.