GEBLER
RYAN J.
25, of Penn Hills, died on December 23, 2012, with his family at his side, following a long and difficult bout with a rare form of bone cancer. Ryan was born June 1, 1987 and attended elementary school at St. Joseph, Verona, PA. While at St. Joe's, Ryan participated in numerous activities and excelled at basketball leading the team to the playoffs during his 8th grade year and selection to the Diocesan Roundball Team. He next attended Central Catholic High School graduating in 2006. While at Central, he played basketball, ice hockey and volleyball. In 2006, he was named most improved player for the varsity hockey team. During his senior year, he played Officer Brannigan in the Central Masque production of "Guys and Dolls". After high school, Ryan attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., graduating in 2010 with a B.A. in Psychology. He was the captain of the CUA hockey team and finished his career as the all-time leading scorer at CUA. During his four years, he was instrumental in a Mason Dixon Conference Championship in 2008-2009 and runner up in the Blue Ridge Atlantic Conference in 2009-2010. In his senior year, Ryan was selected among the best players in ACHA Division III to participate in the inaugural All-Star Challenge. Throughout his life, Ryan also had a passion for music. He principally played the piano and guitar. He was involved in forming the band "The Elderly" while in high school which played at various music venues and produced an album entitled "Long Way Home". In college, Ryan helped to form the band "Downtown Basement" which performed throughout the greater D.C. area, NYC and Pittsburgh. The band was in the studio preparing its first CD when Ryan began his struggle with cancer. He wrote or co-wrote the music and lyrics for that unfinished CD. Ryan is survived by his parents, Maureen (Finnegan) and Tom Gebler; and his loving siblings, Brendan and Shannon; he will also be deeply missed by his 21 first cousins on his mother's side; seven first cousins on his father's side; many aunts and uncles; Lindsey Costabile and countless friends. Friends and relatives will be received at BURKET - TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., 421 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont, Wednesday, December 26, 2012 from 6-9 and Thursday from 2-4, 6-9, Mass of Christian Burial Friday 12:30 p.m. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Verona.
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Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from December 25 to December 26, 2012
