Ryan Michael Gohla

Ryan Gohla, 45, of Manchester, CT, passed away peacefully, after dealing with significant health challenges, on April 10, 2025 at Hartford Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family and close friends.Born on September 13, 1979, in Manchester, Ryan lived a life full of passion, kindness, and devotion to those he held dear. Ryan graduated from Manchester High School in 1998 and went on to earn an Associates Degree in Computer Science from Manchester Community College. A true sports enthusiast, he proudly rooted for the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and his beloved UConn Huskies. During football season, he especially loved watching the Vikings with his dad and brother. There was never, ever any arguing... His connection to sports wasn't just about watching games-it was about heart, tradition, and the stories behind the players and teams he loved. Ryan's favorite player was Larry Bird. To Ryan, Bird wasn't just a basketball legend-he was the epitome of grit, loyalty, and excellence. Ryan could talk for hours about classic games, stats, and moments that defined sports history, often lighting up with excitement when telling a story or sharing a favorite clip. Whether it was cheering on his teams, diving into his favorite video games, snuggling with his cats, or watching (and re-watching) the movies he adored (so, so many movies), Ryan always found joy in the things he loved. His favorite films included iconic classics like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings, which were close to his heart and a source of endless enjoyment. Ryan loved sharing his passion for movies with everyone and he firmly believed that the bigger the screen, the better. Ryan loved storms. From the quiet hush of a fresh snowfall or the thrill of a thunderstorm rolling in, Ryan would find peace and wonder in the chaos of weather. His excitement was infectious, and he would gather the family to go out onto the front porch to watch a storm come through. Those who knew him often found themselves looking at the sky a little differently, reminded of how he found joy in nature's most powerful displays. Ryan had an incredible knowledge of computers and electronics, a talent he readily shared to help others. He loved fans, lights, gadgets-anything that lit up or plugged in seemed to spark something special in him. That same passion fueled his career, and Ryan took immense pride in his work as a Systems Administrator in the IT Department for Manchester Public Schools. For over 20 years, he dedicated himself to supporting the technology that helped students and staff thrive, always ready to lend a hand or solve a problem with patience and expertise. Ryan felt so rewarded to have built lasting friendships with the people who worked alongside him. His contributions were felt far and wide, and his pride in serving the community he grew up in was deeply rooted and unwavering. A beautiful chapter of Ryan's story was the one he shared with his wife, Kimberly. Theirs was a love story that began on the very first day of high school, nearly 30 years ago. Kim sat next to Ryan in the cafeteria and asked him why he didn't put any mayo or mustard on his sandwich. She's been "nagging" him ever since-and funny enough, over the years, Ryan has collected and tried every sauce and spread he could find. That small moment sparked a lifetime of memories together. From camping trips to game nights and celebrating all of life's milestones in between, Ryan and Kim built a life full of shared joy and love. One thing that always stood out was just how much fun they had together. There was always laughter, jokes, playful teasing, and the kind of deep understanding that only comes from decades spent side by side. Their bond was full of warmth and unwavering support, a true partnership in every sense of the word. But nothing lit up Ryan's life more than his daughters, Rachel and Hayley. Being their father was his greatest joy and deepest source of pride. Ryan was a fun, thoughtful, and devoted dad who cherished every moment with them. He loved teaching them-especially about history, sharing stories and facts that sparked curiosity and wonder. In the kitchen, Ryan loved baking and cooking and was highly influenced by his mother and grandmother, often making special treats and meals for the family. At Christmastime, Ryan would lead the girls in making delicious sugar cookies. Music and movies were also central to their bond; he shared the sounds and stories that shaped him, creating lasting memories with his daughters through everything from epic film marathons to listening to favorite songs on repeat. Holidays were a magical time. Halloween brought out Ryan's playful and creative spirit, especially when carving pumpkins with Rachel and Hayley. Christmastime was truly something special. Ryan absolutely loved Christmas lights. He delighted in decorating the tree, stringing up lights inside and out, and turning the house into a festive wonderland. As a young boy, Ryan cherished spending his summers with his family in the cabin at Lake Francis in Minnesota. He loved sharing stories about fishing adventures and discovering owls–his grandmother's favorite animal. To know Ryan was to know someone who would do anything for his friends and family. He was the first to lend a helping hand, always going above and beyond for the people he cared about. His warm heart, quick wit, and generous spirit left a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to know him. Ryan is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly (Nichols) Gohla; their two daughters, Rachel and Hayley; his parents, Carol (Rodolewicz) and Michael Gohla; his brother, Nathaniel Gohla and his wife, Bridget, and their two children, Avery and Jonas; Aunt Linda and Uncle John Rodolewicz, In-Laws, Richard and Caryl O'Connell; and many, many cherished friends and extended family. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-6 PM on Thursday, May 1, at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main Street, Manchester, CT. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main Street, Manchester, CT, at 11 AM on Friday, May 2, followed by burial at East Cemetery in Manchester.He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. "No one's ever really gone." - Luke Skywalker, The Last Jedi "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" - Roy, The IT Crowd