Wilfred "Wolfe" E. Ryan, 91, of Hackettstown, NJ passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at his home surrounded by family. Wolfe was born on May 4, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where he met the love of his life, Jean K. Lorenz. They were married on November 8, 1952 in a private ceremony while they were serving in the Korean War. He has lived in Hackettstown for the past 7 years and previously lived in Wappinger Falls, NY, Saugerties, NY and Staten Island.

Wolfe was a proud American patriot and loved America. He was an honorable veteran having served in the United States Navy on active duty during the Korean War. His rank was AR. During his service, he received the following medals: Navy Occupational Service Medal, National Defense Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal while stationed on the USS Midway.

For 31 years, Wolfe worked for IBM in many locations in NY and NJ. He had many responsibilities including transporting emergency parts and inventory across the globe.

Wolfe was an avid fisherman and loved fly fishing. He, Jean and family, spent many winter nights tying flies and making nets which they used when fishing spring and summer on the Esopus Creek while camping in Phoenicia, NY. In his younger years, he and Jean spent many a day at Coney Island, NY. They also loved playing the slots at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City; in addition, to the family vacations in Ocean City, NJ. He was also a loyal Giants and NY Rangers Fan. Family was everything to Wolfe and he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Wolfe is survived by his children, James Ryan, Charlene Welsh and her husband, Joe, David Ryan and his wife, Carrie, and Kelly Jean McCabe, Grandpa Wolfe had 10 grandchildren: Jim Ryan (Brandy), Elizabeth (Aaron) Savage, Michael (Jenny) Ryan, Christine (Kyle) Roeder, Caitlin (Anthony) Karcich, and Joseph Welsh. Carissa (Dan) Celikoyar, Jordan.Ryan, Ryan McCabe and Madyson Jean.McCabe. 12 great grandchildren: Dominick, Vincent, Alyna, Jaxon, Charlotte, Cooper, Jack, Dominick, Christopher, Ryan, Michael and Michael Wilfred, many loving family members and friends. He was predeceased by his sweetheart, Jean K. Ryan.

Wilfred's Life Celebration will include a visitation on Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 4pm to 8pm with a 7:30pm funeral service at the William J. Leber Funeral Home, 15 Furnace Road, Chester, NJ (908) 879-3090. Interment will be held privately by the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New Dawn Family Resource Center https://www.newdawnfrc.org/, Tunnels to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/, or Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.