BELFAST – Robert Francis Ryan, 80, passed away March 31, 2011, in New Haven, Conn. He was born June 9, 1930, in Boston, to Harold Coleman and Julia Finnin Ryan.
He graduated from Boston Latin School in 1948 and his beloved Brown University in 1952. He spent summers in Nantucket, Mass., where he would deliver milk. His customers included John Steinbeck, the author of his favorite book “Cannery Row.” Mr. Ryan served in Korea as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps as a writer. On his return he worked for IBM, Providence, R.I., and Pratt & Whitney, Hartford, Conn. Mr. Ryan settled in Rochester, N.Y., and in 1956 opened Ryan Ltd., a men’s clothing store. Mr. Ryan moved to Norwalk, Conn., in 1967 and became a copywriter for New York advertising agency BBDO on the Pepsi account. From 1978 to 1979, Mr. Ryan wrote and appeared in the Emmy-award winning TV comedy, “Madhouse Brigade,” which included appearances by future Saturday Night Live cast member, Joe Piscopo. Mr. Ryan wrote the off-off-Broadway musical “Romance Is,” which ran in 1981 at Perry Street Theater. Mr. Ryan moved to Maine in 1990, where he tutored high school students in math, English and SAT preparation. Judy Ottmann, a guidance counselor at Rockport High School, said of Ryan in 2007, “Parents thank me all the time for connecting them with him. He teaches integrity, honesty and having the moral courage to do the right thing.” Ryan could always be seen walking around Belfast with his Brown University baseball cap covering his white hair. He was known for his constant pursuit of knowledge and of laughter – his own and others’. He succeeded in making people laugh up until the very end. He expressed his love of writing in Maine, acting as the poet laureate of Belfast from 2005 to 2006, submitting poems regularly to the local newspaper. His poetry was known for its humorous bent. Mr. Ryan spent the final year of his life at The Village at Mariners Point, East Haven, Conn., where he enjoyed the wonderful residents and staff immensely.
He is survived by his two sisters, Betty Ann Gurley of Wilmington, Del., and Jane Ryan Sugrue of Surprise, Ariz.; his son, Greg Ryan of Rochester, N.Y.; his two daughters, Catherine Ryan of Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Suzee Meehan of Fairfield, Conn.; and his grandchildren, Ben and Nick Viagas of Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Peter and Libby Meehan of Fairfield, Conn.
Friends and students are invited to attend a memorial celebration to be held 2 p.m. April 23 at The Shrine Club, 20 Northport Ave., Belfast. In tribute to Bob’s love of learning and of teaching, a scholarship has been set up in his name at Belfast Area High School. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bob Ryan Memorial Scholarship, care of People’s Bank, 1055 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, Fairfield, Conn. To order flowers online, travel directions to the service or to sign his guest register, please visit
www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com.