Robert W. Ryan Obituary
Robert W. Ryan, born February 21, 1934, to William W. Ryan and Sarah V. (Power) Ryan, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026. He was born in Gloucester where he lived his whole life.
Bob graduated from Gloucester High School in 1952. After his return from the Korean War, he began dating Patricia Kelly. They fell in love and were married on October 6, 1957. They started their family in 1959. He was very proud to have four sons to carry on the Ryan name.
He began working as a teenager on the docks and in the freezers keeping the fish on ice and fresh before shipping. He took great pride in the fact that as a teenager he was able to keep up with all the adult men he worked with. He enlisted in the service and joined the Marines as part of the Third Battalion, Fifth Regiment, First Division.
After returning from Korea, he began working in construction building several sections of Route 93. After about five years, he decided to join the post office providing him with a secure job to provide for his growing family. He remained at the post office, putting in 30 years of service.
After retirement he continued his part-time career painting and roofing houses, which he enjoyed doing into his 70's.
He is survived by his sons Michael (Diane) of Gloucester, Lawrence (Michelle) of Scituate, Thomas (Shannon) of Rockport and Daniel of Gloucester. His grandchildren Matthew Ryan (Ariel), Peter Ryan, John Ryan (Madeline), Andrew Ryan (Amanda), Cory Ryan (Sarah), Keenan Ryan, Zoe Ryan-Hassett (Michael), Phoebe Ryan, Lily Ryan and Grace Ryan. His great grandchildren Lydia, William, Eli, Harper, Ruth, Margaret, Ross, Annie, Marshall, and Molly as well as his nieces Cynthia Donaldson, Carol Cafasso, Valerie Marino, Marie Royer, Kathleen Hopkins, Cynthia Francis and Kim Young and nephews Robert Cafasso, Andrew Muniz and Michael Muniz.
He is predeceased by his wife Patricia (Kelly) Ryan, and his sisters Kathleen Cafasso and Eileen Muniz, both of Gloucester. He was truly the last of his generation.
The Ryan family would like to thank everyone at Oceanside Nursing Home and Care Dimensions for the care given to Bob in his final weeks. The Ryan family would also like to thank the nurses of Steele One at Addison Gilbert Hospital as well as Bob from the ER who always took such great care of him whenever he had to go to the hospital.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Robert on Monday October 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
In lieu of flowers we welcome you to make a donation in Robert's name to one of the many charities he supported, including Dana Farber- danafarber.jimmyfund.org, Susan G. Komen- secure2.convio.net, St. Jude's-.
