Charles "Charlie" Ryan – a passionate family man, retired Customs high achiever, yachty and dedicated St Vincent de Paul Society volunteer – died in Canberra on Saturday, April 7 after a long battle with cancer.
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A "true believer" in every sense of the term, Ryan dedicated part of his retirement to giving back to society, doing all he could to help Canberra’s needy: its hungry, abused, addicted, homeless and lonely.
The youngest of six siblings, Ryan was born in Reid, Canberra, then spent 1941 to 1945 living in style at Customs House in Cairns, where his father was customs master for the town's port.
Along with two of his brothers, the late Marty and Mike, Ryan also enjoyed the lifestyle of growing up while living in Customs House, Geelong, when their father became customs master at Geelong's port.
He started his own Customs career, serving 10 years in Melbourne before rising up the ranks to succeed as an innovative executive, excelling at catching and dealing with cheats and foreign "product dumpers".
His love of sailing inspired his late son Anthony – who died before him in 2008 – to take up the sport, creating many father-and-son memories. Ryan's most epic ocean adventure was a marathon sail from Tahiti to Australia, which he dubbed his best long-distance yachting achievement.
He is survived by Genevieve, his loving wife of 60 years, daughters Catherine and Angela, their partners, seven grandchildren and eldest brother Bart.
A cross-section of Canberra and interstate family and friends celebrated Ryan's life on Friday, April 13, at the Holy Rosary Church in Watson. An Irish wake followed at the Canberra Yacht Club.
