Charles Ryan (mayor)

Charles Ryan
Ryan in 2003
Mayor of Springfield
In office
1962–1968
Preceded byThomas J. O'Connor
Succeeded byFrank Harlan Freedman
In office
2004–2008
Preceded byMichael Albano
Succeeded byDomenic Sarno
Personal details
Born(1927-09-15)September 15, 1927[1]
Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedOctober 18, 2021(2021-10-18) (aged 94)
Political partyIndependent

Charles V. Ryan (September 15, 1927 – October 18, 2021) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1962 to 1968, and again from 2004 to 2008.[2]

Ryan served as the city's mayor during the 1960s for three terms and for two additional terms beginning in 2004, making him the only Springfield mayor to serve in two different centuries.[3] His terms in the 1960s occurred during a time of civil unrest and controversial urban renewal projects. Ryan was unsuccessful in preventing the closure of the Springfield Armory, a major economic blow to Springfield that he blamed on then Congressman Edward P. Boland. Ryan ran against Boland for Congress in 1968, but was defeated in a landslide. After leaving office he became a prominent attorney and continued to be active in public affairs, serving as a member of the downtown economic development group Springfield Central and leading efforts to successfully defeat attempts to institute casino gambling. He also led successful efforts to place the privately owned Springfield libraries under public control.

He attempted to return to the mayoralty in 1995 but lost to city councilor Michael J. Albano. Ryan was elected mayor in 2003 following the decision of Albano not to seek reelection. He defeated the Albano endorsed State Senator Linda Melconian in a campaign that focused on the numerous corruption scandals of the Albano years.[4] In November 2005, Ryan won reelection defeating the city's School Committee Vice-President, Thomas Ashe. On April 12, 2007, Ryan announced that he would run for re-election in the city's 2007 mayoral election and stated that this would be his final run.[5] He lost this election to City Councilor Domenic Sarno.[3]

Ryan died following a short illness on October 18, 2021, at the age of 94.[6]

  1. ^ Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (2002), pg. 560
  2. ^ "Former Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan to endorse Sen. Scott Brown in reelection bid". 6 September 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Western challenger wins mayor's seat". Retrieved 11 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Mayor-elect will support prescription drug plan". Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  5. ^ Ryan, 79, to pursue re-election- MassLive.com
  6. ^ Former Springfield Mayor Charles V. Ryan dies at 94