By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

HYDE PARK - During World War II, Hoadly G. Ryan risked his life to pull three fellow paratroopers out of the wreckage of a fiery airplane crash.

Mr. Ryan died of cancer Sept. 6 at his Hyde Park residence. He was 83.

"Hoadly was a devout Catholic who truly understood the deepest meaning of spiritual convictions. He tried every day to blend those convictions with honesty, integrity and compassion as he dealt with his family, his friends and all those he had contact with," said his son-in-law Rick Pitcarin of Madison Place.

Raised in Norwood, Mr. Ryan graduated from St. Xavier High School and attended Xavier University for two years before joining the Army to serve in World War II.

As a second lieutenant with the 11th Airborne division, stationed in the South Pacific, he earned the Soldier's Medal for Bravery for his actions after a crash during takeoff of a B-24.

He pulled himself and another soldier out of the wreckage, and despite his own injuries, returned to rescue two more men.

Mr. Ryan returned to Cincinnati when the war ended and launched Hoadly Ryan Builders, which built several single-family homes on the East Side.

In 1965, he opened a real-estate brokerage firm, which he ran until he retired in 1986.

He served two terms as director of the Cincinnati Home Builders Association of Cincinnati and was a co-founder and former president of the Sims-Lohman Cabinet Co.

During his retirement, Mr. Ryan enjoyed gardening, golfing and attending Army reunions.

He remained an active reservist for 24 years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

A son, Kennan, died earlier.

Besides his wife, Mary Patricia, other survivors include four sons, John of Blue Ash, Patrick of Mason, Richard of Pleasant Ridge and Joseph of Sharonville; three daughters, Mary of Madison Place, Ellen of Madeira and Lori of Turfway; a sister, Joan of O'Bryonville; and 11 grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Price Hill.

Memorials may be made to the Barrett Cancer Center, 222 Piedmont Ave., Suite 1200, Cincinnati, 45219., or to Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263-3597.

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E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com