'Hardest Working Guy You'd Ever Meet': Swampscott Fire Capt. Mourned

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott Fire Chief Graham Archer said it was humbling to watch Captain Mark Ryan come to the fire station and put in the time and tremendous effort each shift even as his chosen profession contributed to his failing health.

Ryan joined the Swampscott FD in 2002 and rose to the rank of captain before he was forced to retire two years ago because of what is considered "occupational cancer." Ryan died this week — leaving a giant void in the hearts of those within the department, as well as those who knew him and his family outside of it.

He was 57 years old.

"This one is hard," Chief Archer told Patch on Wednesday. "The firefighters are taking this one particularly tough. Mark was very well thought of, respected and liked."

The Swampscott native was promoted to lieutenant in 2009 and then a captain in 2013. Even after his retirement, Chief Archer said Ryan remained a mainstay around the department.

"He worked as long as he possibly could," Chief Archer said. "He would stop in here regularly just to check in and see how things were going. He was a part of the department right up until the end.

"The fighters rallied around him quite a bit. It was actually pretty humbling watching Mark work for his family. He was about the hardest working guy you'd ever meet."

Local Union 1459 President James S. Snow, who informed the town of Ryan's death through social media on Tuesday, said: "We are simply heartbroken."

"Please keep his wife and children and his extended family in your thoughts and prayers," Snow posted.

Because Ryan developed cancer during his service to Swampscott state law determines there is the presumption that it is related to the dangers of the profession that last long after a firefighter runs in and out of a burning building.

Chief Archer said Ryan is the first case of occupational cancer death within the department.

"We had been really lucky there," he said. "In this case, our luck ran out.

"It's a sobering wakeup call."

Archer said policies and procedures have evolved in recent years to limit the harmful effects of the conditions firefighters face with each call. There are now protocols on not wearing turnout gear in the station and washing it as quickly as possible after being exposed to smoke and ash.

"It used to be a badge of honor to have smoky-smelling, sooty turnout gear on after a fire to show how Salty Jake you are," Archer said. "But now we know it's not something to wear anymore. It's not safe.

"Our policies and procedures have evolved more quickly than science has. We hope science can catch up soon so we can avoid some of the tragedies like this one that we're experiencing now."

A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on Humphrey Street in Swampscott. Burial will follow at Swampscott Cemetary with relatives and friends respectfully invited.

Visitation will take place at the church on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. prior to the mass.

In lieu of flowers, the Ryan family asks that you consider donating blood, or making a donation to a charity of your choice.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)