Donald Ryan

Donald Paul Ryan was born on July 11th, 1964 in Hollywood, Florida to two proud Irish Catholic immigrants, Mary and Seamus Ryan.

Don was all heart. As a proud 1986 UF graduate, he did not just watch Florida football under Steve Spurrier, but instead took it on as a personal creed. He had the gift of gab and used it throughout his career to put solar panels on buildings across North Florida, campaign for Democrats, financially advise his clients at SunTrust, and teach English in Medellin, Colombia.

Don made it a habit to read the Sunday obituaries and was not fond of how the chosen photo was often from the deceased person’s physical prime. “Put a picture of me taken right before I go out. Make sure to really focus on the hair coming out my ears and dribble going down the side of my mouth.”

He lived with severe depression and knew the stigma of mental health well. He had an acute sense of humor. He believed in using words correctly, being on time, and serving hot food on hot plates and cold food on cold plates.

He passed away on May 25th, 2026. He is survived by Matthew and Lenae, his two children who he fiercely loved, Sean and Barry, his two brothers, as well as all of the other things he held dear: Tom Petty’s discography, the Alachua County Public Library, the Atlantic ocean, social justice, going to the movies and getting a large popcorn, his Colombian angels, every FSU loss, and Rudy, his beloved rescue dog.