Our History
Garry Kelly (March 1877 - April 1948)
Garry Kelly was born and raised in Minnesota and always fancied himself a mechanic as a young man. After his primary education Garry began his ironworking career working out of Local 1 traveling throughout Minneapolis, Chicago, and Pittsburg.
As the Spanish American War broke out, Garry joined the navy eventually fighting in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and China. Garry would go on to serve his country for three years. Garry then returned home and continued his Ironworking career in New York City at a place then known as, “The House Smiths and Bridgemen’s local”.
In 1913, Garry's Ironworking career was ended due to an accident on the job where he could no longer carry on as a bellman and rivetter. The workings within Local 40 became Garry's main focus, serving on the executive board as Vice President and continuing to frequently publish writings for Bridgeman’s Magazine.
John Joseph Ryan the 1st (August 1910 – February 1989)
Born in the Bronx in 1910, John J. Ryan the 1st, enlisted in the US Navy serving his country in WWII before returning home in 1945. Upon his return, John “Pop” Ryan would join the Ironworkers Local 46, Lathers Union. John was a hard and diligent worker, also working as a local teamster. John would retire in 1970.
John Joseph Ryan the 2nd (September 1934 – August 1989)
Also growing up in the South Bronx, much like his father, John Ryan the 2nd “Grandpa” joined the navy in 1951 during the Korean war. John would serve five years and return home to join local 40 Ironworkers. Upon his return, John enrolled in the first apprenticeship class of 1958. John earned his Journeyman book in 1961, and went on to have a very colorful career working across the boroughs.
John Joseph Ryan the 3rd (Born July 1956)
Born in the South Bronx and moving to New Jersey in his early years, John Ryan the 3rd “Dad”, started his Ironworking career out of Local 40 in 1976 on the 59th Street bridge. Working on highrise and midrise projects throughout the boroughs, John went on to serve 38 years. John retired at the age of 57 with 36 pension credits out of local 40.
Jeff Ryan (Born May 1987)
Jeff started his Ironworking career after graduating Highschool, serving out of the Local 40. Jeff would begin his career in 2005 working on the Alexander Hamilton Bridge. Jeff would go on to work for various contractors around the territory. In 2013, Jeff would later manage renovation and stair projects around the state. Jeff went on to complete his formal education in 2016 and shortly thereafter created Division 05 Estimating. In 2021, Jeff rebranded the firm, and opened D05 Design and Engineering.
Gary Kelly
March 1877 - April 1948
Garry Kelly was born and raised in Minnesota and always fancied himself a mechanic as a young man. After his primary education Garry began his ironworking career working out of Local 1 traveling throughout Minneapolis, Chicago, and Pittsburg.
As the Spanish American War broke out, Garry joined the navy eventually fighting in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and China. Garry would go on to serve his country for three years. Garry then returned home and continued his Ironworking career in New York City at a place then known as, “The House Smiths and Bridgemen’s local”.
In 1913, Garry's Ironworking career was ended due to an accident on the job where he could no longer carry on as a bellman and rivetter. The workings within Local 40 became Garry's main focus, serving on the executive board as Vice President and continuing to frequently publish writings for Bridgeman’s Magazine.
John Joesph Ryan the 1st
August 1910 – February 1989
Born in the Bronx in 1910, John J. Ryan the 1st, enlisted in the US Navy serving his country in WWII before returning home in 1945. Upon his return, John “Pop” Ryan would join the Ironworkers Local 46, Lathers Union. John was a hard and diligent worker, also working as a local teamster. John would retire in 1970.
John Joesph Ryan the 2nd
September 1934 - August 1989
Also growing up in the South Bronx, much like his father, John Ryan the 2nd “Grandpa” joined the navy in 1951 during the Korean war. John would serve five years and return home to join local 40 Ironworkers. Upon his return, John enrolled in the first apprenticeship class of 1958. John earned his Journeyman book in 1961, and went on to have a very colorful career working across the boroughs.
John Joseph Ryan the 3rd
Born July 1956
Born in the South Bronx and moving to New Jersey in his early years, John Ryan the 3rd “Dad”, started his Ironworking career out of Local 40 in 1976 on the 59th Street bridge. Working on highrise and midrise projects throughout the boroughs, John went on to serve 38 years. John retired at the age of 57 with 36 pension credits out of local 40.
Jeff Ryan
Born May 1987
Jeff started his Ironworking career after graduating Highschool, serving out of the Local 40. Jeff would begin his career in 2005 working on the Alexander Hamilton Bridge. Jeff would go on to work for various contractors around the territory. In 2013, Jeff would later manage renovation and stair projects around the state. Jeff went on to complete his formal education in 2016 and shortly thereafter created Division 05 Estimating. In 2021, Jeff rebranded the firm, and opened D05 Design and Engineering.
