Leslie G. Ryan

On August 23, 2025, Leslie G. Ryan - man of discipline, dry wit, impeccable timing, and a backswing so smooth it made the angels pause - made his final exit from this world. He departed peacefully at his home, likely with a sharp crease in his trousers, an orderly desk, and a schedule for the afterlife already penciled in. Heaven, prepare your tee times.

Born June 5, 1936, Les entered this world with a stopwatch in one hand and a rulebook in the other. He didn't dabble in mediocrity. He didn't believe in "good enough." He believed in doing things right - whether it meant a crisp collar, a firm handshake, or walking away from the game of golf not when he had to, but when he decided it was time.

A longtime fixture at Albany Municipal Golf Course - now known as Capital Hills - Les was a gentleman competitor, the kind of golfer who played with quiet intensity and a glare that could melt a misaligned putter. When his game began to waver, he didn't cling or complain. He bowed out, proudly, on top. Because Leslie Ryan didn't fade - he finished with flair.

But his greatest accomplishment wasn't on the fairway - it was the life he built, hand-in-hand for 48 years, with the love of his life and soulmate, Kevin B. Brannock. Their bond was unshakable, rich with tradition, laughter, loyalty, and deep, abiding love - the kind of partnership that outlasts time and expectations. Together, they created a chosen family, a circle of hearts bound not by blood, but by trust and respect.

Left to cherish his memory and legacy is his sister Delores Whitten and several nieces and nephews. Also, Barbara Brannock-Gilchrist, whose banana bread could silence a room and warm a heart; Mary Hamilton, a dear friend and angel on earth - the kind of person Leslie and Kevin never knew they needed until she gracefully appeared; and close in his heart were Eric Bartholmew, who was not just like a son, but truly a son to Leslie and Kevin; and Christopher Lownsbury, the steady hand behind the scenes, the man who ensured everything was done with care, precision, and love - exactly the way Leslie would have wanted it.

But Les' orbit extended far beyond golf courses and holiday tables. He leaves behind his beloved family at the Alexis Diner in North Greenbush - his morning council, his booth-side philosophers, his extended tribe of bacon-slingers and coffee pourers. These weren't just wait staff and regulars - they were his people. They knew his order (and got it right), knew when to banter and when to listen, and above all, knew how deeply he loved them.

Les never made a fuss about goodbyes, so it feels right that he slipped away quietly to rejoin his parents, siblings, and a few unforgettable greats who got there first.

In true Les fashion - practical, purposeful, and with a quiet nod to legacy - he made one final, generous gesture: he donated his body to the Anatomical Gift Program at Albany Medical College. No fuss. No fanfare. Just a bold, thoughtful gift from a man who believed in being useful. While others leave behind possessions, Leslie left behind possibility. Somewhere, a future doctor is learning something real, something life-saving - because Leslie said yes.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Justin Maroney, MD, and the entire staff on the fourth floor of Capital Cardiology. Your expertise, kindness, and tireless care did not go unnoticed - Leslie trusted you, and for good reason. You treated him not just as a patient, but as a person, and that meant everything.

Also would like to extend deepest gratitude to the remarkable teams at St. Peter's Hospital Palliative Care and The Community Hospice. Your grace, professionalism, and boundless compassion allowed Leslie to spend his final days in peace, dignity, and comfort - exactly how he wanted it. You weren't just caregivers; you were part of Les' final chapter, and you did it justice.

A celebration of Leslie's life will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 pm on October 11, 2025 at the W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer.