Frank Ryan was born on January 27th 1942 in Ileigh, Co. Tipperary. He was the youngest of the family.
Frank was never really a farming man and instead trained to be a welder and soon gained a reputation for being a good welder. He had a number of jobs working for other people and also doing some work for himself.
He was able to put his mind to most mechanical / engineering tasks and also had a keen interest in motor vehicles.
In later years his brother Patrick helped Frank purchase various pieces of welding equipment to set up on his own and he often took on projects for customers building bespoke trailers etc.
In 1989/90 he met Fionnuala Bresnan who was originally from Cork. They subsequently got engaged and married in 1990 and set up home in the town of Dundrum Co. Tipperary.
The following year Frank and Fionnuala had a daughter, Mary, named after Frank’s mother.
Unfortunately tragedy struck, when on 27th February 1992, Fionnuala failed to return home from walking the family dog in local woods. After a brief search she was found dead and it was determined that she had died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Mary had just turned 1 years old at this stage and Frank was unable to look after Mary on his own. His sister Maureen immediately travelled over to support Frank and offered to bring Mary up in England but Frank was adamant that he wanted to be near Mary and play an active part so a foster family was found.
Frank regularly visited Mary and took her for days out enabling them to keep the close bond they had built.
In the early 2000’s Frank moved into his own house in Borrisoleigh and soon after met his partner Josie.
He remained close to his daughter Mary (now living in Tipperary Town with her foster family) and also his brothers and sister in Upperchurch and England.
In 2007 his brother Pakie died suddenly leaving Frank to look after his remaining brother Eddie who was in poor health. The following year, in September 2008, Eddie died. A few days following the death of Eddie, Frank discovered that his long lost brother Tommy had also died recently in London in August 2008. Frank had not seen his older brother Tommy since before their mother died in 1963. Again, this was a devastating blow for Frank to lose 3 of his brothers in such a short period of time.
Early the following year Frank’s partner Josie was taken ill and was hospitalised. His nephew George (from England) travelled over to Ireland to support Frank and drive him to the hospital to visit Josie and unfortunately Josie passed away at the end of January 2009.
Frank was now in poor health and George visited a number of times during 2009 to support Frank and look after his dogs when he was hospitalised.
On 22nd June 2009 Frank suddenly collapsed and died while having a drink in a bar in Nenagh. He is survived by his daughter Mary and his niece and nephew Suzanne and George.
