Québec-born Patrick J. Ryan (1913-1996) was a founding member of Alberta's co-operative and credit union movement. During the 1930s, Ryan travelled across Canada looking for work. In 1948, he settled in Edmonton and married Jacqueline Gamache. Ryan became involved in politics in the late 1950s, serving on the Jasper Place town council for two terms before its amalgamation with Edmonton in 1964. He was also a member of the Edmonton Social Planning Council, a public trustee of the Edmonton Public Library Board and a member of the New Democratic Party, running for both the federal and provincial parties. After helping to found the co-operative and credit union movement, he served as director of the Edmonton Savings and Credit Union (now Capital City Savings and Credit Union). The Patrick J. Ryan Park is in the Mayfield neighbourhood and has an area of 0.75 ha.