Ryan C. Arminio

Ryan Christian Arminio, known simply as Ryan and cherished by all who knew him, was born on January 15, 1977, in Long Branch, New Jersey, and passed away on April 17, 2026, in Wall at the age of 49, leaving behind a trail of laughter, warmth, and the kind of love that could fill a room before he even said a word.

Ryan was the beloved son of Richard and Patricia Arminio and the adored brother of Nikki Arminio. He was a proud and loving uncle to Nate and Spencer Eyles, and he held a special place in the hearts of his family, including his uncles Anthony Chimento and the late Keith Latel, his cousins Danielle Abate and Nicole Meehan, and numerous other cousins.

He grew up in Little Silver, NJ and graduated from Wall High School in 1995. He had a gift for making people laugh, and he used it generously, like a man who understood that the world could always use one more good joke and one more good story.

Ryan worked alongside his father as the greeter at Miller, Bergen & Welsh Lumber Company from 1995 until his father sold the business and Ryan, in his own words, “retired” in 2001. He was beloved by customers and salespeople alike, many of whom stopped in not just for building materials, but simply to see Ryan and enjoy his company. He had a way of making every visit feel like the best part of someone’s day, which is a rare skill and a pretty impressive career all by itself.

Ryan loved music, dancing, and watching his favorite television shows, and he approached each with the same enthusiasm he brought to life. Barry Manilow was his absolute favorite, though Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, and Hall & Oates all had a place in his heart and on his playlist. His taste in entertainment was as classic as his sense of humor, with favorites including The Honeymooners, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Golden Girls, Weekend at Bernie’s, and Jackie Mason. Ryan had perfect comedic timing himself and was often the first person to crack a joke in any situation.

Ryan loved his nephews deeply and treasured every moment spent with them. He enjoyed playing basketball and baseball when he was younger and rides to the beach with his parents listening to music all the way. He especially enjoyed going out to dinner with his family but also looked forward to his special Saturday night ritual of a McDonald’s burger, fries, and Coke, and Barry Manilow. Ryan understood that joy does not always need to be complicated. Sometimes it is music, family, laughter, and a perfectly timed meal.

The words that best describe Ryan are funny, loving, and thoughtful, and they only begin to capture who he was. He was the kind of person who could make you laugh when you needed it most, who remembered the little things, and who made people feel appreciated and loved.  He was the kind of person that lifted people up, the kind that made a hard day lighter, and the kind that stayed with you long after the conversation ended.

Ryan’s life was a reminder that being funny is a gift but being funny and kind is a legacy. He will be remembered for his laugh and smile, his love of music, his devotion to family, his sharp wit, and the kind of emotional intelligence that we wish everyone possessed. He leaves behind a family who loved him deeply and countless people whose lives were brighter because Ryan was in them.  As Barry Manilow said "You know I can't smile without you" but we all will smile thinking about all our cherished memories with him.

A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 2 pm until the time of the Celebration of Life Service at 3:30 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home in Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Family Resource Associates, 210 Newman Springs Road East, Red Bank NJ 07701 Web: Family Resource Associates.  The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.