 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Sweet comeback is a treat
By BABITA PERSAUD
© St. Petersburg Times, TAMPA -- Jerry Ryan has returned to Dale Mabry Elementary in his sky-blue ice cream truck, his sunny disposition intact. Ryan, a fixture at the school for years, missed most of last year after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow. His illness was met with an outpouring of support from the children and staff at the school. "Get well soon, Jerry," the children wrote in letters and construction paper cards -- 1,200 in all. Moms made meals for Ryan, three times a week, for months. Laura Brannan, 7, said she prayed every night: "Please get better Mr. Jerry." "We thought we would have to prepare the children for a loss," said third-grade teacher Debbie Rogers-Connell. But Ryan's chemotherapy ended several months ago, and his cancer is in remission. This summer, he made a surprise visit to Mabry principal Joyce Wieland. "He said he was ready to dust off his ice cream truck," she said. She didn't tell the kids. Nor did he. One day a few weeks ago, he returned. Ryan has been the ice cream man in South Tampa for 16 years. At the school, he's known by the kids as someone who's never grumpy and always willing to help, often donating ice cream for birthday celebrations and walk-a-thons. The school named him Business Partner of the Year in 1995, an award he displays on a top shelf in his Euclid Avenue home. His return "shows the children there are miracles in the world," said Kim Brannan, the school's PTA president. Ryan, 59, is nowhere near the 160 pounds he used to be. He now weighs 126 and continues to make regular visits to the doctor. "I was down to 97 (pounds)," he said. He lives with pain, but his hair is growing back and his strength is returning. Soon, he hopes to resume his route through South Tampa. Wednesday, it was just like old times as children greeted him with questions about Sundae Twists and Twin Pops, and what could be purchased for a dime.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times Ernest Hooper |
