Tom Ryan's son dies in Venice, FL

"Bill" Ryan

This blog would be negligent if attention was not given to the death of the late Tom Ryan’s son, John William “Bill” Ryan in Venice, FL, on May 22.

Tom was a veteran BJ reporter who died February 9, 1985. His wife, Marjorie, has been a resident of the nursing home on the fifth floor of Barberton Citizens Hospital for eight years and has suffered that long with Alzheimer’s. A daughter, Donna Gadel, is deceased, but all five sons–Mike, Jim, Shawn and Buddy--still live in Barberton.

Here then is the obituary:

John William "Bill" Ryan

John William "Bill" Ryan, 66, a resident of Venice, Fla., passed away May 22, 2005.

He was born Sept. 6, 1938, and lived in the Akron area most of his life. He grad uated from Barberton High School. Because of his warmth and understanding, many con sidered him "dad." He was known for his "Far Side" sense of humor, and his love of practical jokes. Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1965 aboard the aircraft carrier Bon homme Richard as a lithographer. He would say "Not a single Viet Cong got past San Diego during my hitch."

He worked as a salesman for Nabisco and sold cars. He also drove a cab in Las Vegas and worked for Summit County as a communications repairman when he retired. Bill would joke that he lived longer than Elvis, and knew more women than Liberace. He lived the last five years of his life in Florida, where he fished and lived a life of leisure. He was most proud of his grandson, Kade William, whom he refered to as "my buddy."

He was preceded in death by his father, Tom Ryan and sister, Donna Gadel. He is survived by his mother, Marjorie; son, Michael; daughter, Kellee (Kano) Keller; grandson, Kade; daugh ter, Sherry (Steve) Terrell; brothers, Buddy, Mike (Dana), Jim (Cheryl), and Shawn (Niki); and many nieces and nephews. "Bill R" will be tremendously missed.

His wishes were to be cremated and for his ashes to be spread into the Gulf of Mexico.
[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Sunday, May 29, 2005 ]