Ryan, who had a business degree, was also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and served on the Vietnam Veterans/Agent Orange Committee for the American Legion. According to the Albany Times Union, Ryan was 85 when he died on June 1. His family ...

Edward Thomas Ryan, an Army vet and retired firefighter from New York, was published in the Albany Times last week with a note written by Ryan himself.Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

After living a life of secrecy, a decorated Vietnam veteran came out as gay in his obituary. Army Col. Edward Thomas Ryan of New York, who recently lost a battle with intestinal cancer, disclosed his secret in a message in his obituary published on June 8 by the Albany Times Union.

A military veteran who went on to serve as a firefighter and owned a local radio station revealed in his obituary that he was gay, a secret he said he held his entire life. Col. Edward Thomas Ryan died at age 85 on June 1,

I was Gay all my life: thru grade school, thru High School, thru College, thru Life,” he revealed, adding that he found love in a relationship with a man from North Greenbush, New York. “He was the love of my life,