Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Gene Willis Ryan, 74, residing in Sandusky, departed for his final journey on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 to join his recently departed wife, Geraldine Marie (Patton) Ryan, whom he loved and took care of all of his days.
Gene was born on December 26, 1939 in Sandusky, Ohio. His family homesteaded and still lives in an area on the west end of Sandusky called Venice, which was later annexed in.
Gene attended Holy Angels Catholic Schools and is a 1957 graduate of Sandusky St. Mary's Catholic School. Upon his graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served and was stationed in California. He served as a Second Class PO who worked in electronics and radio technology until 1961.
Near the end of his military service, he made a visit to see his parents at their home in Venice, Ohio when he was struck by love at first sight. Gene met the love of his life and later married Geraldine Marie Patton. The couple was wed at Holy Angels Church on February 17, 1962 and was married for 51 years. The couple enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Key West and many other Florida destinations.
During his career, Gene wore many hats, working up to 11 different jobs in one year to fuel the newlywed's dreams of purchasing their own home and starting a family. His first job was delivering beef from Erie County to the Toledo area for Sandusky Dressed Beef from 1961-1963. He then followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a proud Sandusky police officer from 1963-1966. However, one of his favorite jobs (if you can call it that) was taking care of the beautiful Millsite Farms Fishery. Some of his best days were spent of that farm, each evening as he patrolled and maintained the grounds from 1963-1991. In 1966 he was accepted into the General Motors apprentice program. Seven years later his career at GM advances and he became a skill trades foreman where he enjoyed problem solving and working closely with many aspects of the inner workings of the company and the people who worked there. He retired from GM in 1992.
During his retirement years he and his bride spent time enjoying babysitting their grandchildren, playing in their woods and backyard. Gene became a dedicated volunteer. He volunteered at Holy Angels School cafeteria with his daughter, Cindy, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches several mornings a week preparing for school lunches. Gene was a dedicated member of Holy Angels Church, he never missed a Sunday service in over 30 years come blizzard or thunderstorm. He was an avid reader and friends with the staff at the Sandusky Library; he was a member of the Erie County Conservation League, the VFW post 2529, the Sandusky Eagles post 444, the NRA, and a lifelong member of the American Legion post 83, and the AMVETS post 17
Gene spent a lot of time in his garage doing woodwork and "tinkering". He always kept busy, it was often said, "he is the busiest retired man-he stayed busy doing nothing!" Gene and Gerry love Lake Erie and owned many different boats throughout their lives. Gene tried to keep up with his wife's fishing skills but she out fished him and everyone else in the boat every time by limiting out walleye and perch. In 1992-1996, he enjoyed spending time as the first mate crewing for the City of Sandusky boat line that stopped at Kelly's Island and Put-In-Bay. Gene was also an avid outdoorsman and hunter. He traveled to many places to hunt big game with his son, Timothy, and his buddies' to Colorado, Wyoming, and Canada and of course his favorite place was with his good friends in Pennsylvania.
Gene is survived by his three children, who were at his side as he fought his courageous battle, Cynthia Marie Ryan McAuley, Timothy Scott Ryan and Patricia Ann Ryan. His greatest treasures he leaves behind are his grandchildren, James Ryan McAuley, Patrick Michael McAuley, Michael Koelsch, Matthew Koelsch, Jesselyn Ryan VanBarg and Madison Ryan VanBarg; his sister who never missed an afternoon at his side during his illness, Sharon (Berry) Katherine Ryan Stidham; niece, Kelly Ann (Bryan) Stidham Jellinger; nephews, Scott (Angela) Ryan, James (Susan) Ryan and Barb (Bruce) Ryan.
Gene will join his recently deceased bride Geraldine Marie Patton whom he took special care of at home with an unwavering love and support for 30 years of marriage. She will be waiting with open arms and a big smooch. Also, preceded in death are his father, Harry James Ryan and beloved mother, Zona Elizabeth (Fuller) Ryan; siblings, James W. Ryan, Donald Ryan, and Mary Ann Ryan; father and mother-in-law, Warren G. Harding and Edith Patton.
Friend may call on Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 9:00 am until the time of the funeral mass at 10:00 am at Holy Angels Catholic Church 428 Tiffin Ave. Sandusky with Father Michael Roemmele officiating.
Those wishing to contribute to Gene's memory may do so to Stein Hospice 1200 Sycamore Line Sandusky, Ohio 44870 or Back to the Wild 4504 Bardshar Rd Castalia, Ohio 44824.
Online condolences may be shared at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
