PORT ANGELES — A celebration of life is planned July 17 for the late Ryan Malane, co-owner and vice president of marketing at Black Ball Ferry Line, who died on June 13 at the age of 48.
The community is invited to the celebration, which will begin at 12:40 p.m. at the Port Angeles City Pier.
The timing of the beginning of the event is so that the MV Coho ferry can provide a farewell to Malane as it departs Port Angeles on its 12:45 p.m. sailing that day, said Jessica Wiersma of Black Ball Ferry Line.
“Malane, of Port Angeles, was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend and colleague,” Wiersma said.
“He touched many people through his work on the Olympic Peninsula and in Victoria, BC, Canada. Therefore, the family welcomes anyone from the public who would like to attend,” she said.
After a short introduction, the family will invite attendees to share memories of Malane. Food and drinks will be there to celebrate his life.
“Malane was always the life of the party and wouldn’t have had it any other way,” Wiersma said.
Malane died at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle after a short illness, it was reported.
The cause of death was reported by a family friend to be a lack of oxygen and fluid on his lungs, but no specific ailment has been announced.
He had worked hard to help keep Black Ball afloat during the COVID-19 shutdown and had served on a multitude of area boards and commissions.
“Every person I’ve had to tell the news to is consistently shocked and heart-broken,” said Marsha Massey, executive director of the Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau about his death.
“If there was one person in this community who has been the face of perseverance and glass half full and dedication not only to his business but to his people, it was Ryan Malane.”
He and his wife, Cynthia, had been together for 20 years.
Malane was a cat-lover so anyone who wants to make a donation is urged to make it to the Andorra Fund of EveryCat Health Foundation.
