Pat with his wife Lynda in Times Square

From Fire Service to Funeral Care

Pat’s journey to Piasecki began when the opportunity to join the team presented itself. “When I was approached to work there, it sounded interesting,” he recalls. “Through my job with the Kenosha Fire Department, I was already working with the public, and I figured this would be a way to continue that in a different capacity. I decided to give it a try and see how it worked out, and to this day, I still enjoy it. It has been rewarding.”

Over the past three and a half years, Pat has had the chance to reconnect with people from the community, even if those reunions often happen under sad circumstances. “It’s great to see a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time,” he says. “Yes, it’s at a funeral, but you still get to connect with people.”

Supporting Families with Compassion

Working with families during their most difficult times can be challenging, but for Pat, it is also where the most rewarding moments happen. “When families come in, we try to make them feel comfortable and welcome,” he explains. “We deal with one family at a time, and when they walk out of here knowing we took good care of them, that is what makes it all worthwhile.”

Pat does not believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach to helping families. “Every family is different,” he says. “You just kind of feel them out when you meet them. Some people want to talk, and some want to be left alone. Your instincts kick in, and you go from there.”

Pat’s Grandchildren

Pat riding his bike in Mexico

Finding Balance Outside of Work

Working in a field that often deals with grief requires balance and resilience. For Pat, staying active is an important part of maintaining that balance. “I keep myself physically active. Daily exercise clears the head,” he shares. “I have a regular morning bike route that is about 20 miles that takes me by Lake Michigan and the Kenosha harbor. It is a good workout, about an hour and fifteen minutes.”

Outside of his fitness routine, Pat enjoys spending time with his wife of 35 years, Lynda, their three grandchildren who are ages 13, 8, and 6, and his stepdaughter. “We visit the grandkids often, travel a little, take care of our home, and stay busy,” he says. “And every once in a while, we do not mind just sitting down and taking a break.”

The Importance of Preplanning

One of the key lessons Pat has learned in his work at Piasecki is the value of funeral preplanning. He and his wife took that step after seeing how much it eased the process for his parents. “We did not have anything planned ahead until my parents passed away, and they had all their plans in place,” he explains. “That got us started on our own preplanning. Had I thought about it earlier, I would have done it many years ago. It takes a lot of pressure and stress off the family.”

Pat encourages others to consider preplanning as well. “If you are thinking about it, at least do some research,” he advises. “Taking care of those details ahead of time makes things easier for your loved ones.”

A Team That Makes a Difference

For Pat, the people at Piasecki are what make his work even more meaningful. “It is a great crew of people over there,” he says. “We all get along, we work well together, and everyone works hard. You do not find that too often. Matt is a great boss to work for, and it is just a great team.”

Pat Ryan’s dedication to service, both in his past career as a firefighter and now in funeral care, reflects a commitment to helping others in times of need. For him, the work is not just about managing arrangements. It is about creating a sense of comfort and trust for families when they need it most.