Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Kevin Desmond Ryan, died 12 Mar 2011

Kevin Desmond Ryan was born in Allora on the 4th December 1934 to Michael James Ryan and Brenda Mary Hamill. The eldest of three brothers Cyril and Brian (deceased). Kevin was educated through local State Schools and Downlands College. On leaving school he entered Pius XII Seminary, Banyo.
He was ordained to the Priesthood in St Mary's Church, Warwick on 29th June 1960 by Bishop William Brennan. His first appointment was to St Patrick's Cathedral in 1961 then to St Mary's Warwick, Oakey and St George. Fr Kevin served as a Navy chaplain (1969-1977). On his resignation from the Navy he served as Chaplain at St Mary's Christian Brothers in Toowoomba until 1980. He also served in Pittsworth and Clifton.
From 1981 to 1988 he was chaplain at St Mary's College, Ipswich. He was incardinated into the Brisbane Archdiocese in June 1986. In 1988 he was appointed Parish Priest of Kingaroy and remained there until 1999. He was fond of prayer, study, reading books and sport. Fr Kevin served as Administrator at Stanley River Parish and later took up Residence in Gatton.
For the last 15 years of his life he served as a Prison Chaplain in South East Queensland, a role he said made him see the good in every person, especially those condemned by society. Fr Kevin's non –judgmental attitude and empathy earned him a reputation among prisoners as someone who could be trusted with the most intimate details. He helped many to find accommodation and a job upon their release and provided temporary shelter in his home for those who did not have anywhere to stay.
In 1994 he took on the role of columnist for The Catholic Leader and wrote more than 800 columns. Through his writing he developed a reputation as a practical man of God who was never afraid to tell things the way they were. His style was that of a classic storyteller, writing about real-life events and experiences.
In December 2013 the first book of Fr Kevin's columns in the Catholic Leader was published and is now on sale.
In June 2010 he celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priesthood in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Gladfield, the same Church of his first Mass after Ordination. The church was packed for the Mass and the Gladfield Hall was abuzz with many people including some of the prisoners. One of the prisoners had written a poem in honour of Fr Kevin.
He died suddenly in his unit at Gatton on 12th March 2011. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Mary's Church, Warwick on 17th March. He is buried in the Garden of Remembrance in Toowoomba.

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.