Douglas Ryan- Freeburg

May 9, 1938 - September 16, 2019

Douglas George Thomas Freeburg, Jr., 81, died Monday, September 16th, 2019 at The Chelsea, an assisted living facility in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. The cause was Alzheimer’s, a disease he battled for five years. He leaves behind three daughters, Maureen Connolly, Jean Fitzpatrick, and Eileen Banasiak; three son-in-laws, John Connolly, Bill Fitzpatrick and Steve Banasiak; six beautiful grandchildren; and six siblings, John Freeburg, Carol Witmeyer, Nancy Rieger, Irene Wustrow, Billy Freeburg, and MaryBeth Kruger. He is pre-deceased by his brother Richard. Born on May 9, 1938, and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, the son of Douglas Freeburg, Sr. and Anna (Loy), he was also raised by his beloved paternal grandmother Anna Ryan and his aunt Muriel Lynch. His love of baseball took him from the alleyways and playing fields of Brooklyn, where he once got two hits off a young Sandy Koufax, to a tryout for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and ultimately to his lifelong love of the Mets. Doug was married on November 23, 1963, and in 1972 he moved with his wife and three children to Rahway, NJ. He went on to live in various places, including Fords, NJ, Hollywood, California, and Winfield Park, NJ. A lifelong thespian, Doug Ryan (his known stage name) was passionate about the theater. During his 20s, 30s, and 40s, his work on the stage was combined with day jobs in sales. You name it, he could sell it: forklift trucks, medical supplies, and surgical devices. In the evenings, he’d head to the regional or community theater where he was often cast in a leading role. He brought the characters of Neil Simon to life in productions of The Odd Couple, Barefoot in the Park, Plaza Suite, Last of the Red-Hot Lovers, and The Sunshine Boys. Audience members would leave delighted and charmed by his comedic timing and talent. In his 50s and 60s, he was proud to be part of the ensemble at Hunterdon County Playhouse and to also be cast in small roles on “The Sopranos” and “Boardwalk Empire.” In recent years he brought just as much joy to residents and aides at The Chelsea. (He was voted King of the Chelsea two years in a row because he was always a gentleman, ready with a compliment, a kind word, or a thank you.) Doug was beloved by his many nieces and nephews, who fondly recall his charm, as well as his love of foods that should come with a health advisory: Spam, Sunny-D juice, butter and sugar sandwiches on white bread, and his legendary GOP: ground beef, spaghetti and Campbell’s tomato soup (no water added.) His quick wit combined with his master storytelling ability meant that wherever Doug went, he was surrounded by an eager group of listeners who knew they were in for a treat. For family members and friends who were lucky enough to know Doug well, his ability to make us laugh was only exceeded by his ability to make us feel loved and listened to. A memorial mass will be held on Friday, September 20th at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, 323 Madison Hill Road, Clark, NJ. If you’d like to donate to Alzheimer’s research in his name, please consider The Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic (APC) at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian. https://weillcornell.org/services/neurology/alzheimers-disease-memory-disorders-program/our-services/alzheimers-prevention-clinic