Paul William Ryan

On September 5, 2020 Paula Ryan, unexpectedly lost the love of her life and great friend, Paul William Ryan. They were together forty-five years, married for 37.

Paul William Ryan, a life-long native of Santa Barbara, was born to Michael and Lucille Ryan on July 9, 1958.

He is mourned by his wife Paula and his two fine sons, Casey Nolan Ryan (30) and Connor Joseph Ryan (26). Paul was one of eleven children, he had six sisters and four brothers: Kathleen, Suzanne, Patricia, Theresa, Michele, Mary, Peter, Robert, Timothy and Thomas, who will all miss their brother. He will also be deeply missed by his twenty-six nieces and nephews, many, many grandnieces and grandnephews as well as his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and a great many friends! We will miss his sense of humor, endless jokes, lust for adventure (and misadventure) and all the fun that could be had in his company.

Paul worked many trades during his career, in 2004 he started his own plumbing business, Channel Islands Piping, where his gift for melding and molding with metal kept water moving in the city he loved.

Paulie (as his friends knew him) loved life. He was a “man larger than life”, who lived with gusto, always looking for fun. His family and friends will attest to hours-long phone calls from Paulie, laughing so hard their sides hurt. He loved the Santa Barbara 4th of July parade, and he never missed a Fiesta Parade without a good reason.
A true native son of Santa Barbara he had salt water in his veins. He would often be in or near the ocean: surfing, kayaking or strolling on the breakwater with a little dog and a loved one. He was a true friend to many, always lending a helping hand when needed.

He was known as highly creative. He sculpted with metal and many have received gifts molded with his hands. Paul was an active member of De la Guerra y Pacheco Chapter 1.5 E Clampus Vitus. Recently, he brought his talented hands to help his Clamper brothers restore a wagon for the Carriage Museum. Paul also wrote creatively like he sculpted, weaving the harsh and the subtle together as a true Irishman.

His greatest joy was to be out camping, fishing and trail blazing to the most secret and beautiful places he could get to, usually in the company of his wife and sons.

The natural world was his place. Paul passed away in the hills he loved, in the natural world, his temple.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be planned at a later date, most likely next year when it is safe to be together.