Charles A. Ryan, 94, of Oceanport, passed away peacefully July 4, 2021.
Charlie lived his entire life in Oceanport. Born in 1927, Charlie was named for Charles Lindberg whose plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, was returned from the nonstop flight from New York City to Paris the day Charlie was born. His sense of adventure, commitment, dedication and grit honored the name. Charlie was a man hard to forget.
He served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy in the Philippines during World War II. Charlie retired after 37 years as the principal highway engineer for the state of New Jersey. He and his staff designed the roads on which he drove his classic car collection. Charlie was also an original member of the commission to bring home the battleship USS New Jersey.
Charlie was a life member of the Long Branch Ice Boat and Yacht Club and was honored with a meeting room named the Charlie Ryan room in honor of his accomplishments. He sailed catamarans, comets, yachts and iceboats for 50 years. Charlie loved anything involving the water, people, animals and cars.
Charlie was predeceased by his wife Gretchen Schuler; his parents Kathleen Maguire Ryan and Edward Ryan; his sisters Eileen Ryan, Kathleen Greenwood, Virginia Grey and Margaret O’Halloran; and his brother Edward A. Ryan. Surviving are many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was July 7 at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, Long Branch. A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. July 8 at Church of the Precious Blood, 72 Riverdale Ave., Monmouth Beach. Burial to follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of customary remembrances, donations may be made in Charlie’s memory to the Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall St., Eatontown, NJ 07724 or monmouthcountyspca.org.
For messages of condolence please visit Charlie’s page of tributes at woolleyboglioli.com.
The article originally appeared in the July 8 – 14, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
