Edward thomas ryan kept a heartbreaking secret his entire life, only revealing it to his friends and family in his obituary Webstory by julia marnin. Edward thomas ryan kept a “secret” close to him his entire life. But before his death, the decorated u. s. Army veteran decided he didn’t want. Webdeath notices, family announcements, obituaries, acknowledgements and in memoriam in and around great malvern from malvern gazette. Edward thomas ryan was an army vet and retired firefighter from new york. His obituary in the albany times shared a lifelong secret — he was gay. Weba decorated veteran has come out as gay in his obituary. In the obituary, col. Edward thomas ryan revealed that he's been gay all his life. Weblifelong rensselaer county resident col. Webjohn patrick monaghan, malvern, pa—the monaghan family and the wider community are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of john patrick monaghan,. Known as “uncle ed,” he was a vietnam war.