Ryan Dennis Purington, 47, passed away at home on August 29, 2026, after courageously battling cancer.  Ryan was born on August 28, 1979 in Manchester, CT to the late Dennis W. Purington of Palmdale, CA, and Joan M. Sheehan of Andover, CT.

Ryan attended nursery and pre-school in Glendora, CA, primary school at Andover Elementary School in Andover, CT, junior high and high school at Miller Place and Riverhead on Long Island, NY.  Ryan studied computer science in high school and at Suffolk Community College in Riverhead, NY.  He excelled in building, programming, and computer repair.  This was his passion and expertise.

During high school and college, Ryan worked at a pet store.  Ryan loved animals and, over the years, raised an assortment of indoor and outdoor pets.  Ryan's favorite sites to visit were the Bronx Zoo, LA Zoo, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Animal Park, Mystic and Boston Aquariums, as well as museums including the New York Museum of Natural History, and many others.  Ryan loved to travel and explore historical sites.  Ryan remained an avid reader and enjoyed reading a variety of historical, world, and American history.  Ryan also loved different music genres from Jazz to Rock.  He enjoyed Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, the beach, swimming, bike riding, and video games.  Ryan was charitable in a variety of ways that included donating to charities to enable others to experience similar activities he was so passionate about.  Ryan's passions also included spending time with family during holiday gatherings and socializing with relatives.

Ryan was predeceased by his father Dennis W. Purington, paternal grandparents Ivory and Ruth Purington, maternal grandparents Edward and Carolyn (Jackie) Sheehan, great uncle Bill Smith, paternal great grandmother Anne Ryan Sheehan, who he was named after.

Ryan is survived by his mother Joan M. Sheehan (Manchester, CT), uncles and aunts Michael and Joan Sheehan (Sacramento, CA), John and Janet Sheehan (Coventry, CT), Carolyn Sheehan (Weare, NH), Patricia Myers (Concord, NH), Nancy Sheehan (Enfield, NH), Ellen (Purington) and husband Paul Chatel (Seattle, WA), cousins Elizabeth Sheehan (Bethlehem, PA), Rebecca Sheehan (Ellington, CT), Matthew Sheehan (Ithaca, NY), and Katelyn Sheehan (Salinas, CA).

Ryan's mother and family extend their heart-felt appreciation to the wonderful staff at Manchester Memorial Hospital (Hartford Healthcare), and for the superior care provided by Hospice Care (Hartford Healthcare).  A special thank-you to RN Donna, and the hospice staff's ongoing support, care, and expertise was invaluable.  A heart-felt special thank-you to family and friends who visited Ryan while he was ill.

Family and friends are invited to Call on September 8, 2026 from 4PM to 6PM at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main Street, Manchester, CT.  A burial ceremony will take place on Wednesday September 9, 2026 at 11AM at Townsend Cemetery, Townsend Road, Andover, CT.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ryan's name to Make-A-Wish-Connecticut, 56 Commerce Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611, 203-261-9044 or Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation & Education, 9 Sand Hill Road, Ashford, CT 06278, horizonwingsraptorrehab@gmail.com.