Nathaniel Ryder, 64

Oct 20, 2017

Nathaniel W. Ryder, beloved son of the late Morrill S. Ryder, Jr. and H. Georgina (Horton) Ryder, died at home in Wareham on Oct. 9.

Nat was born in Wareham on July 11, 1953. In 1955, he contracted meningitis resulting in acquired epilepsy and learning disabilities that took a lifetime of hard work to overcome.

Nat attended Wareham Public Schools at a time when dyslexia was not a well-known word. Much of his education was through the consistent loving tutelage of his parents.

Nat loved his family, friends, animals and working outdoors. In his early teens, he started body building and weight lifting to become as strong and healthy as possible.

Nat was a loving caregiver to his mother, allowing her to remain in their home at the end of her life.

In addition to his parents, Nat was predeceased by his brother, Andrew H. Ryder of Middleborough and his friends James Murphy of Wareham and Debby Crocker of Alaska.

He is survived by his sisters Susan Nuttall of Maine, Joanna LaMontagne of Wareham, and Rebecca Ryder of Mashpee, a brother Morrill S. Ryder III and his wife Denise of Marstons Mills, his sister-in-law Donna (Ryder), nieces and nephews: Valerie Anastosopoulos, Christopher MacDougall, Cheryl Salemone, Michael and David McDonald, Arthur, Thomas, Mathew and Roxanne Reynolds, Andrew and Jeanine Ryder, Jason, Jeffrey, Morrill S. IV, and Kayla Ryder, and many great nieces and nephews. Also special friends: Peter Cleveland and his mother Geraldine England, Bill and Donna Rhodes, Mike and Debby Zine and son, Joe Pesta and many loving cousins.

His graveside service is Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. at Parish Cemetery at The Green, Plympton Street, Middleborough. Reception following at the Middleborough Lodge of Elks, 24 High Street, Middleborough. Family and friends welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Nat's memory be sent to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Development, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, Attention: Frank Wixted. Notation on check memo: For Dr. Trudy Pang's Epilepsy Research Fund.

The family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate support of Old Colony Elder Services, Nizhoni Home Health Services, Associated Home Services, Jenny at Family Service Association, Michelle, Valentina DaCunha MD, Trudy Pang MD, Adam Stern MD, Charles Dow MD and the many others who were part of Nat's journey.