Ryan Thomas Healy

Jul 14th, 1974 - May 12th, 2019

Birth Date: Jul 14, 1974
Death Date: May 12, 2019
Funeral Date: May 15, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Location: Ruebel Funeral Home 6313 W. Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205
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Biography: Ryan Thomas Healy, 44, of Little Rock, Arkansas and formerly of Port Ewen, NY, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 12. Ryan was born in Kingston, NY and will be remembered as a loving brother, son, uncle, and dedicated member of the law enforcement community. Ryan had served with pride as a member of the State Capitol Police Department of Arkansas, Maumelle Police Department, officer of the Little Rock City Court and most recently as Security Manager for Oaklawn Racing and Casino. Among his career highlights were receiving the Officer of The Year award in Maumelle in 2008 and the pride he took in keeping those around him safe.Ryan was a 1992 graduate of Kingston High School. Growing up in Port Ewen, Ryan was an avid hockey player, snowboarder, and BMX racer. At the height of Ryan?s BMX career, he reached number three nationally in his age group. Ryan was also one of the first members of the Kingston High School Hockey team, where he took pride in being a protector for his teammates and younger brother. Later in life, Ryan would spend time volunteering to coach the Arkansas Junior Glaciercats youth hockey team.Above all else, Ryan will be remembered as a caring friend, loyal brother, and loving son, whose larger than life personality could light up any room. Ryan was the consummate teammate- whether it was on the ice, on patrol for the police, or with his new team at Oaklawn. There is not one person he touched in this world that he did not make smile. His quick wit and sense of humor were legendary. Outside of family and friends, Ryan?s greatest joy could be found with his love for his Labrador Retrievers. He named his dogs after mafia movies, and referred to them lovingly as ?The Dogfather.? For most of his adult life, Ryan could be found with his beloved dog Cross by his side, and more recently, Dominic. We take comfort knowing that Ryan has been reunited with his beloved Cross. Ryan is survived by his mother, Margaret Healy of Little Rock, Arkansas, his father and stepmother, Joseph and Ruth Healy of Little Rock, Arkansas, his brother and sister-in law, Timothy and Mary-Ellen Healy of Raleigh, NC as well as his beloved nieces, Meredith and Bridget, and his half-brother and sister in-law Bryan Healy and Lori Healy of Plainfield, NJ. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, May 15 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W Markham, Little Rock, AR. A celebration of life will be held at Ocean?s at Arthurs on Thursday, May 16 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. A memorial service will be held in Kingston, NY on a later date to be determined.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in his honor to Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals (CARE) at www.careforanimals.org.

Condolences(35)

#35

May 26th, 2019 5:12 pm

So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words spoken at Revelation 21:3,4 “With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away".

Amanda Chaney

#34

May 17th, 2019 1:08 am

I only got to know Ryan over the past year. He won my attention immediately and kept it. He was a good friend and a special man and I’m very sad our time was cut short. Praying for his family and for Dom.

Stephen Jones & Judy K. Mason

#33

May 16th, 2019 9:43 pm

Our deepest condolences to the Healy family. Their simply are no words to express our sadness at your loss. You are in our hearts and prayers.

Robert and Elizabeth Cortinez

#32

May 16th, 2019 2:28 pm

Our condolences and deepest sympathies to the Healy family. Ryan was a special person and we were gifted with his presence. His genuineness, kindness and heartfelt caring made him one of the truest persons we've ever met. His "New York" sense of humor always, always made us smile and laugh, just as he was always smiling and laughing. Rest in peace, Ryan Healy...good man.

Wayne Reynolds

#31

May 16th, 2019 12:03 pm

Joe and Peggy,
I was so saddened to read about Ryan’s passing. What a great kid!! Kid I say, at 44 how time has flown by.
Just the other day I came upon my stockpile of pics from Port Ewen School.
It seems like yesterday we took that 3 day field trip to Washington. DC.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. I see there will be a memorial service here at a later date.. Please let me know in advance. My email is wereynolds17@msn.com.
Wishing you all well in these trying times.
Wayne Reynolds

Bettye Daley

#30

May 16th, 2019 7:59 am

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Ryan. He loved his labs and that’s what attracted him to us. He & his mom were our neighbors in CW for a few years. RIP Ryan.

Gayla Hart

#29

May 15th, 2019 3:54 pm

Ryan's passing leaves an empty place in my heart. He was a larger than life presence and I am better for having known him. Ryan and I shared a love for dogs. I admired his love and devotion to Cross and Dominic. Ryan will surely be the "Dogfather" to our dogs that have already crossed the Rainbow Bridge until we are all re-united. My heartfelt condolences to his family and countless friends. I will miss him.

Lisa Evans

#28

May 15th, 2019 1:47 pm

Peggy - this is a beautiful obituary. I hope you know you have so much support at UAMS during this time. We are all thinking of you. - Lisa E.

Corporal Kevin Hobby (Russellville Police Department)

#27

May 15th, 2019 10:17 am

Ryan may be the funniest guy I ever met. You pair that with one of the nicest, most sincere people that I have ever met and you have a Man that touched many lives and made each day better for other people. I made friends with Ryan in 2 minutes after meeting him at the Arkansas Police Academy in 1996. He was the most liked person in the entire Academy, hands down. Seeing him at Oaklawn this winter brought back fond memories of his wit and genuine care for your own life. He was a giver to everyone he met. He will never be forgotten.

Deepest condolences,

Kevin L. Hobby

Scott and Katie Gentry

#26

May 15th, 2019 5:49 am

The news of Ryan's passing was heartbreaking and shocking. He was the most loyal, caring friend. He had such a big personality and was one of the funniest people we had ever met! He kept us laughing all the time! We shared so many wonderful, fun times together and we will never forget those memories. Ryan will be deeply missed, but he will never be forgotten.

B.J. Gatlin

#25

May 14th, 2019 11:15 pm

My condolences to the Healy family. Not only was Ryan a rock for me on the ice ( he was my enforcer, kept the bad guys off of me so I could dangle the puck a little longer and put the puck in the net.....lol)......then ultimately had the great opportunity of attending Police Academy with Ryan in Camden Ar way back in 1996, where we were able to keep each other out of trouble during training at our ripe young age of 21/22!!!!!! Wish my father Billy was here to get with Joe to talk about how our families changed the entire ice hockey program in Little Rock and how you touched many young kids in the game that got our hearts many years ago!!!!!! R.I.P Ryan, we got your watch!!!!!!
Sgt. B.j. Gatlin
Pope County Sheriffs Office

Nikki and Eddie McGrew

#24

May 14th, 2019 4:08 pm

We are so very saddened to lose such a great friend & truly wonderful person. Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to family and friends. You were the one of a kind friend every person should have and we were truly honored and blessed to have you as our friend and forever grateful for the opportunity to have met and known you. We definitely will miss seeing your infectious smile and your humorous happy go lucky personality everyday, as I am sure most will. Especially during live meet sharing tips and you telling us you were going to come down and get your picture made, we won the race, but as you said.. "Damn it you missed it every time" you always went far above and beyond as an employee and friend and you will be so greatly missed. May you rest in love and peace.

Grace & Don Evans

#23