Rev. James F. Cryan, OSFS (1936-2023)
With everlasting hope in the Resurrection, we announce that our beloved brother and confrere, Rev. James F. Cryan, OSFS, died at the age of 86 on Friday, November 3, 2023. He was a professed member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and professed his first vows in September of 1955 and was ordained a priest in February of 1965. Fr. Cryan served the Oblates and the people of God as a priest, teacher, pastor, provincial superior, formator and scholar. He was faithful to his vocation and the will of God in his life. Adopting the spirit of the Oblates he met at Central, he loved life, the arts, scholarship, music, fine food, faith, friendships, and family. He lived life well.
Born in Toledo, Ohio on December 29, 1936, he was the son of James Cryan and Helen (Tucholska) Cryan. Baptized at Immaculate Conception Church on January 10, 1937, his vocation was fostered by a faith filled family. As a student at Central Catholic High School, Fr. Cryan first encountered Oblates of St. Francis de Sales as his teachers. He was attracted to their joy, optimism, and love for life. Upon his graduation from Central Catholic in 1954, Fr. Cryan entered the Oblates. As a reference, he selected his pastor at Gesu Church, Fr. Stephen Driscoll, S.J. who wrote, “James Cryan informs me that he is anxious to enter the Oblates. I am glad to recommend him to you as a young man of fine moral character.”
Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts in Latin from Niagara University (1960) and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Toledo (1970). He completed his studies for the priesthood at De Sales School of Theology in Washington D.C.
Following ordination, Jim was a teacher at Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia, St. Francis de Sales in Toledo, Bishop Duffy in Niagara Falls, prior to working in formation for the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Most recently prior to retirement, he was pastor at St. Pius X and then Gesu Church in Toledo. Giving his whole heart to the Oblates, Fr. Cryan served faithfully as the Provincial Superior for the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Toledo/Detroit Province from 1991 to 2003. He led the province to develop the Pastoral Plan to guide or identity and apostolic ministries.
When Fr. Jim was elected Provincial Superior, he resigned as Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church. In his honor 900 parishioners came to a farewell picnic. According to the West Toledo Herald, Fr. Cryan was the Grand Marshal of the opening parade at the event.
In 1998, the Blade did a dossier on Fr. Cryan as the Provincial Superior. When asked about his most memorable learning experience, he responded, “Being a pig-tender in the novitiate was supposed to teach me humility. It taught me how to work.” As the Provincial he said this about his Oblate Brothers, “They affirm my strengths, challenge my weaknesses, make me laugh when I would not, put up with me when I will not, and give me reason to start over every day.”
Fr. Cryan is preceded in death by his parents, James and Helen Cryan, and his nephew, Daniel Sulier. He is survived by his Oblate confreres, his sisters, Patricia A. Cryan and Mary (Robert) C. Sulier, and nephews, James (Gina) Sulier and Joseph (Sienna) Sulier, and 6 grandnieces and grandnephews.
May the angels lead him into paradise and may he rest in peace.
Arrangements:
Visitation
Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 4-7 p.m., at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3011 Carskaddon Ave., and from 3-4 p.m., and Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Gesu Catholic Church, 2049 Parkside Blvd., Toledo.
Mass for Christian Burial
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 4 p.m. at Gesu Catholic Church. A light reception will follow.
Interment
Father Cryan will be privately laid to rest in the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales section of Resurrection Cemetery.
