Kevin J. Ryan

Kevin J. Ryan
January 6th, 1940- September 21st, 2015
Longtime resident of Saratoga and Monte Sereno
Kevin James Ryan passed away peacefully and surrounded by love at Good Samaritan Hospital on Monday evening after extended health complications.
Kevin was born in Syracuse, NY, to parents Marion Helen Ryan and John Lewis Ryan, and was profoundly influenced by his Irish immigrant roots. The strong, straightforward values of faith and family defined his character. He further credited his disciplined work ethic to his Catholic education at Most Holy Rosary grammar school and Christian Brothers Academy (class of '57). He continued his studies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, graduating with honors with a double major in accounting and marketing. The following day, on 6/5/61, he married his childhood sweetheart and forever love, Nancy Dougherty, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on campus. He remained a dedicated Fighting Irish alumnus for life, embodying the University's motto "God, Country, Notre Dame." He was very proud that his five children followed in his footsteps as Domers.
Kevin was an executive, leader and innovator in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. He began his career as a Senior Sales Rep at Armour Dial Products and was quickly promoted to their youngest District Manager. He was recruited by Bristol Labs and soon managed an 800 person sales force and six warehouses. By age 30, he was Director of Sales for Bristol Medical Products, responsible for the creation and management of the medical product sales force. In 1974, he relocated his family to Buffalo, NY, and introduced the first SPF sunscreen in the U.S. as Sales/Marketing VP of Westwood Pharmaceuticals. In 1978, the family moved across the country to Saratoga, CA, and Kevin became President and CEO of contact lens company Barnes-Hind, Inc. In 1983, the Revlon Vision Care Group was formed, enveloping Barnes-Hind and adding Coburn Optical's domestic and international businesses to his responsibilities. Ultimately Revlon VCG became Pilkington Visioncare, which Kevin left to become President of Large Scale Biology Corporation, a pioneering drug research and vaccine-development company in Vacaville, CA, in 1991. In 1995, Kevin was appointed President and CEO of Wesley Jessen Corp., the first manufacturer of color-changing contact lenses and cosmetic specialty lenses. WJ was named one of Chicago's Top 100 companies in 1999 and was sold to CibaVision in 2000. It was Bain Capital's most successful IPO up to that date and a pinnacle moment in his career. Kevin then worked as Chairman of the Board for Ciba's Advisory Committee. He subsequently served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Sonic Innovations, a medical device company in Salt Lake City, UT. He returned to LSBC as CEO in 2003 and retired in 2005.
Kevin received countless professional distinctions, awards and accolades in his distinguished career, but no success was of greater import than the happiness and security of his large, loving family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Nancy D. Ryan, cherished children Christopher P. Ryan and wife Roberta; Erin Ryan Deehan and husband Bill; Sean C. Ryan and wife Lisa; and Shannon Ryan McIlvain and husband Ben. He will live on in adored grandchildren Jack and Thomas Ryan; Patrick, Kevin, Tara, Bridget and Meghan Deehan; Shane, Kathleen, Grace, Liam, and Colin Ryan; and Connor, Kevin, Quinn and Declan McIlvain. Further survived by dear siblings John Ryan, Peggy Clancy and Rita Nann. Predeceased by beloved son Kevin C. Ryan and parents.
Kevin donated time, talent and treasure to many charitable causes; donations in his honor to those dearest to his heart are welcome. Maryville Academy, 1150 N. River Rd., Des Plaines, IL, 60016 or Catholic Charities of Santa Clara Co., 2625 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA, 95134.
Arrangements by Darling Fischer Chapel of the Hills, 615 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA. Visitation and rosary at 6pm Sunday, 9/27. Funeral mass 11am Monday, 9/28, at St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, 219 Bean Ave., Los Gatos, CA. All are welcome at the reception that follows at Viva restaurant, 15790 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos, CA. Private family burial Tuesday at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery.


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