The B. C. Matthew Ryan Memorial Scholarship Fund was founded in memory of Battalion Chief Matthew Ryan, who lost his life on the third floor of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Chief Ryan had 28 years of service with the Fire Department, working 19 of them in Brooklyn. Two of his biggest passions were the FDNY and playing hockey. Therefore, the scholarship was set up as follows below.

Applicants must meet both the following criteria:
Must be the daughter or son of an active, retired or deceased (both Line-of-Duty and Non-Line-of-Duty) member of the Fire Department.
The firefighter must be an active, retired or deceased hockey player on the FDNY hockey team, a firehouse team, a town hockey team, a local team or a league team.
Two $1,000.00 scholarships are awarded annually and can be used for college/university, high school, trade school or private school. All monies are distributed directly to the appropriate educational facility for credit to the student’s account.

The Ryan family along with the committee would like to thank you from the bottom of their hearts for helping to keep his memory alive and the memory of all those lost.

Although the 24th anniversary of that heart-rending day has just past, my family and I would like to say thank you for your continued support. With your help, we raised $12,380.00 last year. We truly appreciate everyone’s effort to keep Matty’s memory alive. Since its creation 24 years ago, 2 scholarships have been awarded annually. Winners are notified each year on 9/11. The 48 scholarships are not just about financial aid but also in investment the recipient’s future beliefs and potential. I know Chief Ryan would wish the best for all of them. This year's award winners are: Brian Birstler, Jr. – son of Lt. Brian Birstler of Engine 152 He is attending Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island, NY Madison Maxwell – daughter of Firefighter Thomas of Ladder 44 She is attending Wagner College in Staten Island, NY If you wish to continue the lasting work that will make an impact on the lives of these students, please do so by sending a check made payable to B.C. Matthew Ryan Memorial Fund, LLC . and mail to P.O. box 1096, Massapequa, NY 11758. The fund is now a 501 (c) 3 fund. All donations are tax-deductible. My family and I so thankful for your help and wish you continued good health throughout the year. As an FYI, two of Chief Ryan’s granddaughters will enter high school this year. Before you know it, they will be pursuing the same dream as this year’s award recipients. Gratefully yours, Margaret Ryan and the B.C. Matthew Ryan Family