Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are callingFrom glen to glen, and down the mountain sideThe summer's gone and all the flowers are dying

'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

Dan-O, who visited me in Montana a little over a month ago, lost his father, Dave Ryan, to a heart attack on Saturday night.

He was 63. He semi-retired about 8 years ago, and fully retired 2 years ago, when he and Pam relocated from the Dam to St. George, Utah.

Dan and Dawn are in Utah with Pam and the rest of the family.

Dan last spoke to his dad on Friday night, and ended the conversation by saying, "I love you." David responded, "I love you, too."

There is not much more you could ask for in a final conversation with your dad.

It was too soon, and it is too sad.

Find a way to enjoy every day and live a full life.

Raise a glass and say a prayer for David.

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.


My sincerest condolences and love to Pam, Dan, and the rest of the Ryan clan.