A sign of his affection
Former Sickles School guard connected with school community
BY JENNA O'DONNELL Staff Writer

Dennis Ryan visits with students at Viola L. Sickles School in Fair Haven on Dec. 13. The former school security guard spoke to students about how he carved the sign that now hangs in the school foyer.

FAIR HAVEN - The Viola L. Sickles School in Fair Haven is sporting a bright new sign, thanks to Dennis Ryan, a former security guard at the school.

A retired police officer, Ryan worked as a security guard at the Sickles School for a year before leaving to work closer to home in Belmar last year. However, during his short time at the school, Principal Jamie Turner said that he made quite an impact.

"He formed a lot of connections with families and children because he talked to everyone that came in," said Turner. "He became beloved in a short time. He's just that kind of guy."

A motorcycle enthusiast, Ryan is known for his woodworking talents. According to Turner, he makes handcrafted wooden motorcycles that have been purchased by celebrities (including film star Michael Douglas). He was also known to make pencils and toys for staff and children at the school.

When the newly renovated foyer of the school needed some color, Turner asked Ryan if he would use his talent to make a sign.

"It was something that we talked about, but he had never made a sign before and was a little unsure," Turner said. "He decided to have a go. Considering this was his first sign, its pretty incredible."

Ryan refused to take any money for his labor or the sign itself.

"It was a gift to the school and a labor of love," Turner said.

The gift had a significant impact on the children at Sickles School.

"If you could have seen their expressions when they walked in the door and saw the sign for the first time," said Turner.

The bright and colorful sign, decorated with the school's mascot shark, as well as different types of fish, was just what the foyer needed.

"I think the sign was the perfect addition to the newly redesigned foyer," said Turner.

Ryan came back to visit on Dec. 13 and spoke to the children about how he made the sign. He brought a reindeer that he made out of wood to illustrate each step of the creative process.

Almost all the children wrote thankyou notes, with Mrs. Chippendale's thirdgrade class sending Ryan a picture of themselves standing in front of the sign with a note saying, "Your sign will help us always remember you and we hope this picture will help you always remember us."