Ryan Carroll Donahue

Ryan Carroll Donahue, 48, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, surrounded by his wife, Randi, and their daughters, Harper and Isla. Born on May 23, 1978, in St. Petersburg, Ryan graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School in 1996 and the University of Washington in 2001, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design and was a member of the undefeated 1997 Men’s Freshman Eight boat that won the IRA National Championship.

For more than 20 years, Ryan worked as a prototype designer and program manager at Robrady Design, bringing countless ideas and inventions to life. He was also a favorite behind the bar at Walt’s Fish Market, where his humor and easygoing nature made everyone feel at home.

Ryan was a force of nature whose light burned so brightly. He could create, build, or fix almost anything and was always the first to lend a hand. Humble, generous, and endlessly funny, he made ordinary moments memorable and brought people together wherever he went. He lived by a simple instinct to leave every person, place, and situation better than he found it.

He loved planning family adventures, from fishing the backcountry in the Keys to canoeing the Peace River to hiking North Carolina waterfalls. He also loved camping, stone crabbing, biking, skiing, tending to his orchids, cooking, cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays, and sharing pool time, beach sunsets, and Myakka barbecues with friends and family.

Above all, Ryan was a devoted husband, an amazing father, and a loyal friend who would do anything for the people he loved.

Throughout his three-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, Ryan faced each day with strength, positivity, and consideration for others.

Ryan was preceded in death by his father, John Donahue, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Randi; his daughters, Harper and Isla; his mother, Valerie Donahue (Tom Zahn); his brothers, Jack Donahue (Carmen), Keith Donahue (Deborah Nelson), and Ross Donahue (Julie); his father-in-law, Bruce Saba; his mother-in-law, Terri Saba; his brother-in-law, Anthony Oliva; his sister-in-law, Bri Oliva; his nephews, Lucas, Connor, Ian, Spencer, AJ, Logan and Shane; and his nieces, Emma and Everly.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for contributions to The Ryan Donahue Family Trust.

Donations will be used for two purposes. First, for an Eternal Reef Ball in honor of Ryan. Second, and most dear to Ryan’s heart, all other gifts will go to Harper and Isla’s college education accounts.

To give and learn more about how your gift will support Ryan, Randi, Harper and Isla, and to share favorite pictures of Ryan with everyone, visit Ryan’s Caring Bridge Page (https://www.caringbridge.org/site/4696efd8-2803-34c1-b18d-88d849a5c728)

Alternative way to give:

Mailing a check to Ryan’s Brother:

Keith Donahue

1811 W Resseguie St

Boise, Idaho 83702

Thank you for your friendship, support, and love.

Randi, Harper and Isla