By Olivia Mitchell
cleveland.com
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio — At Ryan Milligan’s funeral Monday, family, friends and first responders gathered to remember him as a father, an uncle and the little brother who grew up to answer the call to public service — a call that ultimately cost him his life when he battled a house fire last week.
A funeral procession for the North Royalton firefighter began at 9 a.m. at Busch Funeral Home in Parma, traveling south along Ridge Road to Route 82 in North Royalton. It passed the North Royalton Fire Department before continuing to Grace Church in Middleburg Heights, where family, friends and fellow first responders gathered for a memorial service.
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Ryan Milligan, 36, died Nov. 2 while assisting Broadview Heights safety services at a house fire in the 2100 block of West Royalton Road. Officials have not released the cause of his death.
North Royalton Fire Chief Robert Chegan opened Monday’s service by remembering Ryan Milligan’s commitment to his fellow firefighters and the community he served.
“We gather today with heavy hearts to honor the life, service and ultimate sacrifice of our brother,” Chegan said.
Ryan Milligan’s older brother, John Milligan, also spoke during the service. He reminisced about his brother and joked about the tower of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Ryan Milligan would make as a kid.
“Just my chubby little brother with a Cheshire smile who wanted to tag along with me and friends,” the brother recalled.
His family was presented with the Martin E. Pierce Medal of Honor, described as the highest honor bestowed on members of the International Association of Fire Fighters in recognition of service and sacrifice.
Following the service, another procession traveled to Holy Cross Cemetery, where Ryan Milligan was laid to rest.
The loss brought an outpouring of support from fire departments, law enforcement agencies and community members across Northeast Ohio. Firefighters and police officers from communities including Parma Heights, Willowick, Brunswick and Strongsville joined others outside the church to pay their respects.
Among those gathered was Paul Mathiellis, who has lived in Middleburg Heights for 38 years. He stood across the street from the church, taking photographs as the procession arrived.
Mathiellis said he wanted to honor Milligan and show his appreciation for the first responders who put their lives on the line to protect others.
“It’s sad he died so tragically,” Mathiellis said. “I pray his associate recovers, as well. It’s great to see the community come out and support.”
Andrew Protsman, a fellow North Royalton firefighter from Parma, was also injured in the Broadview Heights fire. He is expected to recover.
Michele Tomecko of Seven Hills stood outside the church with her daughters. The family made signs and stickers for free to distribute to community members and fire departments in honor of Milligan.
Tomecko said her son is a firefighter in Ravenna, and one of her daughters is dating a firefighter. The loss hit close to home.
“I always tell them to be safe,” Tomecko said. “First responders are very brave. This is heartbreaking and scary.”
Although she didn’t know Milligan personally, Tomecko said she had heard about the kind of person he was.
“From what I hear, he was one of the good ones,” she said.
Sharon Smith stood outside the church with tears in her eyes. Her two sons, both Northeast Ohio firefighters, were inside attending the service. She said she spent much of the time praying for them.
“They love their jobs and they’re doing exactly what they were called to do,” Smith said. “My heart breaks for them. My kids put themselves in harm’s way to save others.”
Despite her worries, Smith said she finds comfort in the bond shared by firefighters and the way they support one another.
Ryan Milligan, in Middleburg Heights to John and Kathryn Milligan. The youngest of four children, he was remembered by his family as someone whose humor, generosity and willingness to help others made an impression on everyone he met, according to his obituary.
He attended Normandy High School, where he was a defensive player on the football team, before he continued his education at Tri-C’s Fire Training Academy.
Ryan Milligan spent the last decade serving Northeast Ohio communities. He also worked as a paramedic and firefighter with the Newburgh, Northfield, Seven Hills and North Royalton fire departments.
Outside of work, Ryan Milligan was an accomplished athlete who became a local lightweight Golden Gloves champion. He also enjoyed golf, Cleveland sports and spending time with family and friends.
He married Laura Koly on Sept. 10, 2022. Together, they built a home in Seven Hills and welcomed two children, daughter Ryleigh Ann and son Chester James.
He was also a beloved uncle to 12 nieces and nephews, earning a reputation as the family’s “fun uncle.”
His family remembered him as someone who could make friends wherever he went and made everyone around him feel welcome.
“To know Ryan was to love him, and he loved you right back,” his obituary reads.
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