Gerald Gene Ryan, Sr.

Gerald "Jerry" Gene Ryan, Sr. was born on March 15, 1930 to Daniel J and Elsie M Ryan in Toledo, Ohio and passed peacefully at 96 years young on July 26, 2026. Preceded in death by his wife Joan Clarice (Mandery) Ryan, parents Daniel and Elsie, in-laws Helen and Rudy Mandery, brother Daniel J Jr., sister Patricia Wonser, brother-in-law Norman Wonser, sister-in-law Angeline (Mandery) Ringenbach, brothers-in-law Paul Koberstein and Frank Ringenbach, daughter-in-law Patricia Ryan, loving grandson Joseph “JoJo” Ryan and Maryilyn Wolff, close friend and companion of his last decade.

Jerry was the last of his generation and lived a full life. He grew up in the Bancroft Hills neighborhood and attended Gesu Elementary school and Central Catholic HS. Upon high school graduation he enlisted in the US Air Force. After his service he graduated with a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Toledo, becoming the first of his family to graduate college. He met the love of his life, Joan, along with many lifelong friends at Central Catholic HS. In 1951 he and Joan were married at St. Catherine's. In 1952 he lost his father and took on the responsibility of his widowed mother, and younger brother and sister while expecting his first child. In 1959 he founded Ryan Pharmacy on Dorr St. and in the early years of Ryan Pharmacy his mother Elsie worked along side him. Retiring at the age of 75, his son Tim continues the business he started.

Jerry and Joan raised their family on Castlewood Drive in West Toledo and were members of Blessed Sacrament with Jerry serving on various boards at the school. Jerry served on the board of Pharmacy at UT and was active in raising funds for the construction of the new College of Pharmacy building. He became active in Corpus Christi Parish at the time mass was celebrated in the Student Union and was involved in raising funds for the current Church building. Throughout all of this he was a vocal spectator and supporter of all of his childrens' sports teams. In the 1960s, while working seven days a week, he would come home after dark, set up flood lights, and with the help of his brother, friends and neighbors, he built the in-ground pool that became the "Castlewood Country Club" and the center of the neighborhood summer activities. For two summers Wednesdays were reserved for the Blessed Sacrament Dominican Sisters who lived two doors down, with sheets and towels draped around the fence! He was a very active person who ran, biked, and skied most of his life. With his sons and grandson he biked in the Hilly Hundred and with his sons out west. He was always determined to “keep up with the boys”.

Jerry was an avid Bridge player his entire life. He enjoyed camping, spending the month of March in Ft Myers Beach, summer family gatherings at Lake James, and was always up for a game of Euchre. Jerry was a card shark until the end. Four generations of Ryans would play weekly Euchre games at The Crescent, his home for the past 4 years, with his last game the Thursday before his passing with his granddaughter Jessica and family.

Jerry and Joan traveled extensively, including to Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, England, Monte Carlo (where he met Omar Sharif at a bridge tournament) and Hawaii. He loved skiing in Colorado, Michigan and New York. One of his last big trips was to his grandson Brendan’s wedding in Alaska and up until the age of 93 still enjoyed his annual trip to Florida.

Jerry made many friends at The Crescent. The special staff, Sherri in particular, were a special part of his daily life. He came through many health crisis situations with determination and a positive attitude.

Survived by daughter Deborah Schoen-Gedert, sons Jerry G (Barbara) Ryan Jr., James P Ryan, Michael J (Steffany) Ryan, Timothy J (DeeDee) Ryan, former sons-in-law Lawrence Schoen and Mark Gedert. Grandchildren: Ryan (Ann) Schoen, Jessica (Dana) Schoen, Alaina Bullock, Margaret Schoen, Zachary Gedert, Joelle (Dan) Cook, Eric Ryan, Brendan (Jillian) Ryan, Abigail (Bryan) Hoffman, Tess Ryan, Caty Ryan, Jake (Claire) Ryan, Jillian Ryan, Jenna Ryan, Alex (Matt) Guyton, Kara (Fabian) Guyton, Jake Guyton and Jack Ryan. Great-grandchildren: Isabel, Liam, Lillian, Camden, Milo, Shalane, Calvin, Addison, Vivienne, Daphne, Finnegan, Aila and Seamus. Honorary grandchildren Julia (Roger) Myers, Ryan Smith and great-grands Forrest and Eloise. Special niece Shawn Smith who made Jerry’s last 11 years of his life so much easier, and nephews and nieces Daniel Ryan, Erin Ryan, Russell Ryan, Dennis Wonser, Kevin (Beth) Wonser, Sheila Borowski, Vicky (Jim) Bucher and Ted and Vicky Bacho and families.

He truly lived a wonderful life and we his family will miss his daily phone calls, heartfelt generosity and wicked sense of humor. We are all better for having had him in our lives.

Visitation will be Friday July 31, 4:00-8:00 pm at Walker Funeral Home, Sylvania Ave. Funeral Mass is on Saturday August 1s at Corpus Christi Parish, Dorr St. with visitation at 10:00 AM, Mass at 11:00. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

If so moved, memorial donations can be made to a charity of the donor's choice.