Ryan "Blue" Southcombe, 57, passed away on January 18, 2024.  A longtime resident of Hampton, he moved to Gloucester in 2006. Ryan was preceded in death by his parents, Vivian and Lynne Southcombe; and siblings, Rebecca and Dustin. He is survived by the mother of his children, Michele Mazzenga (Mike); his children, Katharina Herington (Ryan) and Nathan Southcombe; sisters, Rhonda Richardson (Randy), Cheryl Underwood (Joe), Tonya Beckner (Pollock), Melinda Allen (Jim), Michelle Malone, Ramonda Steinke (Tim); brothers, Ramon Monroe (Virginia), Randy Monroe (Beverly), Derrick Southcombe, and Andy Southcombe; grandchildren, Hazel, Reagan, Sawyer, Journey, Story, Titus, and Elijah; and many nieces and nephews.

Ryan graduated Bethel High School in 1984 and started his blue collar career at Newport News Shipbuilding, where he worked as a machinist. Following that, he worked for various rigging companies including W.O. Grubb, R&R Rigging, CSE Steel Erectors, and the Local 79 Ironworkers union where he worked on various projects, such as nuclear power plants, aircraft carriers, cell phone towers, buildings, and bridges. Second to his family, his work was his pride and joy.

Ryan was a family man and his children and grandchildren were his whole world. He loved sitting down with them doing crafts, helping with homework, or playing outside. Ryan was also big in the community. He volunteered at the Bread for Life Community Food Pantry, Amputee Support Association, and helped out anybody he could.

He was fearless and whole-heartedly believed the rules didn't apply to him. He always said money is nothing but a thing, and believed there's no shame in hard times or being broke as long as you're going to work every day doing the best you can. He never judged a single soul and only cared about your heart. He always asked, " how's your soul today?" because that's what mattered to him.

Ryan was not one for calling before arriving. His favorite thing to do was to come just before bedtime and offer to take the kids for slurpees at 711. Being present was never a question with Ryan. Ryan's sense of fashion left much to be desired. You could go to dinner with him and he'd be wearing a stained tank top, holey Redskins pajama pants, and be barefoot; and it didn't bother him a bit. However, he did have a soft spot for Carhartt.

Ryan's life will be celebrated 7:00 PM, Friday, February 2, 2024 at New Covenant Church, 1079 Big Bethel Road in Hampton. The family wishes in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Bread for Life Community Food Pantry (www.breadforlifefoodpantry.com).

Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions in Hampton, 757-825-8070.