Raymond Francis 'Reds' Ryan SMYRNA - After a long, courageous struggle with congestive heart failure, Raymond Francis "Reds" Ryan, passed away at home in Smyrna on Saturday, April 17, 2010. He was 71. Raymond was born in Holloway Terrace, the son of Walter T. and Mary V. Ryan. He graduated from William Penn High School in 1956. He was a four-year member of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. As an accomplished athlete, he later went on to try out for the Philadelphia Phillies and also led the Blue team as co-captain in the 1st Annual Blue/Gold Football game held in 1956. In fact, he still holds the Blue/Gold record for highest pass completion percentage. After graduation, he went on to marry his high school sweetheart, Barbara Arrington. They were happily married for 48 years with two daughters and five grandchildren, who were the light of their lives. He moved his family to Smyrna in 1970 to a home that he proudly built himself. "Reds" was a lifetime member of the International Asbestos Workers - Local 42 in New Castle. He joined at age 18, working as an apprentice and ended his career there over 30 years later as the Business Agent. He was actively involved in the Democratic party and strongly supported Labor Unions. He moved his family to Rehoboth Beach in 1986 where he enjoyed living on the water, golfing, crabbing, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. Ray moved back to Smyrna in 1996, where he resided until his death. Over the years, "Reds" enjoyed the company of good friends at the former "Paddock," at Kelley's, at both Stahl Post American Legion and VFW clubs, and at Moore's Picking Building. In recent years, he enjoyed nightly rides to Woodland Beach, playing cards, and watching local sports. Raymond was a truly hard-working, generous person and enjoyed passing these traits onto his children and grandchildren. "Reds" was bigger than life. He never met a stranger and will be dearly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his wife, Barbara in 2004. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Barbie and Wayne Reed and Donna and Bobby Virdin, all of Smyrna; grandchildren, Amy and Brian Rhodes, Courtney Reed, Ryan and Holly Hufford, Rodney Hufford, and Gabrielle Virdin; great-grandchildren, Caroline and Jackson Rhodes, and Riley Hufford; and siblings and spouses, Toby and Shirley Ryan, Marianne and Billy Taylor, Jimmy and Mary Ryan, Sheila McCall, and Bobby and Peggy Ryan. He will also be dearly missed by a host of nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home 11 a.m., Thursday, April 22, with burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Delaware Blue/Gold supported D.F.R.C. at 640 Plaza Drive, Newark, DE 19702.