Nick Gauthier

Statement from Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas

Today, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Representative Kevin Ryan. For more than three decades, Kevin dedicated his life to the people of Montville, Ledyard, and Norwich while wanting the best for all of Connecticut.

Kevin’s service extended far beyond our state’s borders. Through his distinguished leadership with the Council of State Governments, including his past chairmanship, he elevated Connecticut’s voice on the national stage and helped strengthen legislatures across the country.

Here at the Capitol, Kevin was a constant presence with a steady hand on the dais, a trusted mentor, and a loyal friend. His good-natured humor, his warmth, and his unmistakable eastern Connecticut accent filled these halls for more than 30 years. He took great pride in being the only person in the building who pronounced Norwich correctly (‘Naah-tch’). His humorous exchanges with staff and colleagues, as well as the endless supply of Twizzlers, brought joy to long days and reminded us of the humanity at the heart of this work.

The Capitol will feel emptier without him, but the impact he made on his community, on this institution, and on each of us will endure.
-Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas

State Representative Bob Godfrey

A great light has gone out.

Representative Kevin Ryan was more than a colleague. Over 32 years, we became friends, sharing our commitment to the people of the state of Connecticut, to the Council of State Governments (CSG), and to a wicked sense of humor.

Kevin was devoted to his constituents. During his long service in the Connecticut House of Representatives, he spoke often and forcefully about and for the people he represented. His record shows that. He was instrumental in preserving the historic beauty of Bozrah by preventing a quarry from being constructed in the heart of Bozrah. Kevin was a resident of the Oakdale section of Montville and served on the Montville Board of Education-- six years as its Chairman and one year as its Secretary before being elected to the House of Representatives. He also served on the Montville Public Safety Committee, which works with the correctional centers located in the town. He was a member of the Rotary, Elks, and Knights of Columbus. He is a past Chair of the Montville Democratic Town Committee, and was a Justice of the Peace. Kevin also served as President of the Board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southeastern Connecticut and served on the Alliance for Living Board of Directors and the Eastern Connecticut Cable TV Advisory Board.

He was an advocate for health care, especially for children. He had been a member of the Public Health Committee since taking office in 1993. He was a member of the Pilot Studies Committee, which dealt with Children on Medicaid under the Age of 21 and Emergency Medical Services for Children. He was also involved with the Certificate of Need for Health Care Facilities. His concern for the well-being of children continued with a study on the Constitutional Amendment on the Rights of Children. He also served on the Children in the Recession Task Force.

He was an advocate for the environment, especially for farmers. He served on both state and national committees dealing with clean air, clean water, clean soil, and agriculture.

In 2017 he chaired the Council of Sate Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference, hosting its annual meeting in Connecticut. His advocacy and interests extended to all of its the jurisdictions – 18 of them from Canada to the Caribbean. He graduated from both the Robert Thompson Leadership Academy, and was a Toll fellow, the regional and national leadership schools of the Council of State Governments. He was elected national chairman of the Council for 2024, serving in its leadership rotation for four years, including Immediate Past Chair this year.

Kevin was a Doctor of Optometry, and a faculty member in physics of the University of New Haven.

But most of all I will remember his wicked sense of humor. It was situation-specific, off-the-cuff, sharp, sarcastic, witty, dead-pan, and always laugh worthy.

Geography may be destiny, but we sat near each other in the house, and our offices were not merely next to each other, but also had one of only two connecting doors in the building. We saw a lot of each other both in conducting business and socially. He constantly pilfered pretzels from a bowl in my office I had received after my own stint as 2011 chair of CSG. It became the butt of many jokes passed between us.

Kevin, my dear friend, “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

State Representative Nick Menapace

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my colleague and friend, State Representative Kevin Ryan. Kevin was one of the first people I met when I began running for office in 2022, and from that moment on, he was a steady source of guidance — always willing to help a first-time candidate, and this past year, a first-time legislator.

Kevin’s impact on Montville and Eastern Connecticut can’t be overstated. For more than three decades, he showed up for our towns with humility, depth, and an unwavering commitment to the people he served. Whether it was advocating for local families, strengthening education and public health, or supporting the region’s workforce and environment, Kevin put Eastern Connecticut at the center of everything he did.

What I’ll remember most is his kindness and his dry sense of humor — the quiet, steady way he made people feel supported, grounded, and welcome. He cared deeply about this region and the people working alongside him.

New London Democratic Town Committee

Connecticut lost a great public servant. Kevin Ryan passed away yesterday

Kevin was proud to serve the 139th House District he was Assistant Deputy Speaker. Additionally, he was a member of the following committees: Environment, Appropriations, Public Health, and Regulations Review.

Previously, Kevin served eight years as the House Chairman of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. He also was co-chair of the School Building Subcommittee. Under Speaker Sharkey, he had the opportunity to chair the Municipal Organization Regional Efficiencies subcommittees of Education and Municipal Efficiencies.

Kevin’s commitment to public service will be greatly missed.

CT Working Families

Connecticut Working Families Party was sad to learn of the passing of our friend and supporter, State Representative Kevin Ryan, earlier this morning.

Rep. Ryan was a steadfast fighter for working people, and did so with humor and love for his communities. His constituents in Norwich, Ledyard, and Montville will miss his dedication to their towns, and all of us around Connecticut will miss him too. Thanks for your service, Representative Ryan, and CT WFP sends our condolences to all who loved you.