Robert Martin Ryan

ROBERT RYAN "Bob'' Robert Martin Ryan, 80, passed away November 12 at his home in Royal Palm Beach after a short illness. Bob will be remembered for his quick wit, his booming laugh (especially at his own jokes), his special Irish coffee, his love of the Yankees and old movies (particularly King Kong and Gunga Din), his barbecued ribs and most of all his devotion to his wife, Peggy, and his six children. He coached his children in baseball and softball throughout their childhoods, taking them out to the ball field most weekends and even after long days at work. His children returned his devotion. Long after they had left home, they spent most Sundays with Bob and Peg in their Florida room, enjoying good wine and each other's company. Bob was born October 2, 1932, in Bellevue Hospital in New York. He attended St. Jerome's Grade School in the Bronx then was accepted to the prestigious Stuyvesant High School. He left, however, at16 to help support his family after his father's death. He was drafted into the Army in 1953 and served in Korea. Upon his discharge, he worked nights cleaning floors in the Met Life Building in Manhattan while also attending school to earn his high school diploma. In late 1955, he landed a drafting job at a mechanical engineering firm in New York and eventually became a specialist in air conditioning and heating systems. Bob married Peggy Gallogly in 1956 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in the Bronx. Their first three children were born in New York while Bob and Peg lived in the Bronx. They soon moved to the New Jersey suburbs, where the next three children were born. The family moved to Florida in 1972 when Bob took a job in Miami. They lived in Plantation for many years before moving to Royal Palm Beach. After retiring from his drafting career, Bob opened Ryan's Ribs in Royal Palm Beach with his family and operated it until 1992. Bob and Peg were active parishioners of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles in Royal Palm Beach. Bob served as president of the regional chapter of St. Vincent de Paul. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Peggy, in February of this year, and his son Bobby in 1995. He is survived by five children: Barbara Chabre (Norm) of Royal Palm Beach, Joan Ryan (Barry Tompkins) of San Francisco, CA, Ken Ryan of Royal Palm Beach, Donna Ryan-Ruiz (Doug) of Royal Palm Beach, and Gerard Ryan (Patricia Wollenberg) of Chicago, IL. Bob also leaves behind his sister Sally Peterson (Jon); two sisters-in-law, Sr. Patricia Gallogly and Kay Poggioli; ten grandchildren: Chris Haynes, Kevin Haynes (Jennifer), Connor Haynes, Cortney Cantu (Martin), Zack Ruiz, Steven Ruiz (Idelsis), Jessica Ryan, Jeremy Ryan, Ryan Tompkins, Samantha Ryan; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family invites friends to gather at Palms West Funeral Home, 110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, November 16. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at noon on Saturday, November 17, at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles at 100 Crestwood Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 100 Crestwood Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL. 33411. To express condolences and/or make donations visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries