Ryan O'Connor, Patch Staff

Email: ryan.oconnor@patch.com

Phone: 603-322-3203

Hometown: Merrimack, NH

Birthday: Sept. 9, 1982

Bio: After living in Colorado and Florida the first 14 years of my life, I moved to New Hampshire where I attended and graduated from Merrimack High School in 2001.

I've since established strong roots in the Granite State, graduating from the University of New Hampshire at Manchester in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts.

I completed an Internship at Neighborhood News, Inc., and spent the greater part of six years covering community news and sports for a number of towns including Bedford, Goffstown, Bow, Salem, Windham, Hooksett and other local communities.

I was hired as the Bedford editor for Patch.com in June, 2011 and love working in this town!

Outside of my education and work background, I have an amazing five-year-old son named Collin, and spend much of my free time following and attending Boston sports games.

I'm a die-hard Red Sox, Bruins and Patriots fan, and bleed Florida Gators blue and orange in the fall.

Religion: I grew up in a Catholic household, though I decided at an early age my religious beliefs didn't strictly adhere to Catholic tradition. I still maintain a strong Christian faith and attend non-denominational Manchester Christian Church.