Frank Ryan

Frank “Boxer” Ryan, 87, passed away Friday, April 6, 2018, at Paramus Veterans Memorial Home. Born in Bound Brook, he was the son of Walter and Anna Ryan. Known simply as Boxer, his was a familiar face in town. He began making a name for himself at a young age, delivering milk from the family’s dairy farm. In high school his name was synonymous with the Crusaders as the Bound Brook High school’s football team star quarterback. He not only was proud of his many touchdown passes, he used his fame and blue eyes to charm the head cheerleader “Te” ' they married in 1952. Boxer and Te raised their children Frank Jr and Karen in Bound Brook and he became even more active within the community. Boxer was a councilman and member of the Bound Brook Board of Education before being elected mayor in 1999. He was devoted to serving his beloved hometown during his two terms and made his mark by diverting the river to avoid flooding. He was a US Navy Veteran, serving from 1951 to 1955, and was a proud member of the American Legion, Giles-Biondi Post No. 63, the Bound Brook Elks Lodge No. 1388, and a communicant of St. Joseph Church. He worked for Conduit & Association as a safety coordinator before his retirement. Boxer was predeceased by his sweetheart of 63 years, Rachel “Te” (Ruberto) in 2015. He leaves behind his son, Frank Ryan, Jr., and wife, Deborah of Middlesex, his daughter Karen Ryan of Washington DC, daughter in law, Joanne Truesdale; his grandchildren, Rachel, Ross, and Lauren Ryan, and Ashley Campbell and a great grand daughter Elle. Gathering with the family will be 4:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday, April 9, 2018, at the funeral home. Funeral services will begin 9:00 AM Tuesday, at the funeral home followed by a 10:00 AM funeral mass at St. Joseph Church, Bound Brook. Burial will follow at Bound Brook Cemetery.