Rick Chance, 44, founded Empire Glass, a chain of auto-glass shops operating in Washington, Arizona, and three other states. He appeared in the chain's TV commercials, offering "FREE DINNERS: Not Two for One" at the suburban Shari's family-restaurant circuit with any windshield replacement or repair job. Chance was shot to death on August 9 in a Tempe, Arizona, hotel room; a briefcase containing $1 million in jewelry was reported missing from the scene. Brandi Lynn Hungerford, 25, a professional exotic dancer who'd registered at the hotel with Chance, was arrested in Tacoma on August 16 in relation to the crime.

Ezo Noodle Cafe, an informal Japanese-style restaurant on Broadway, closed on August 10. A note taped to the eatery's front door said, "Ezo will move to Orange County, CA to explore new business opportunities," but promised, "we will be back in Seattle again in [the] near future."

"Boston" Tommy Ryan, 70, lived a colorful, Runyonesque childhood in Boston and an equally colorful, Runyonesque adulthood in Seattle. A former itinerant pool hustler, he settled here after his Korean War service with his first wife, Bonnie Jenkins, whom he'd met on a blind date. During their 13-year marriage, the couple hung out, almost daily, at the still-remembered Abruzzi's Pizzeria on Pike (demolished to make room for the Niketown-Planet Hollywood monstrosity), while Tommy became one of Seattle's most beloved bartenders. He worked at many of the town's swankiest drinkeries (including Rosellini's Four-10 and 610, the Olympic Hotel, the Four Seas, and the Mirabeau). He became known for his curmudgeonly personality, his clever wit, and his ever-growing repertoire of stories about himself and the political/business bigwigs who'd been his customers and confidants. During and after his cocktail career he traveled the world; while in town, he spent many an hour hanging out at the old 211 Billiard Club and at local restaurants, where he befriended (and occasionally financially helped) countless service personnel (attaining the nickname "the patron saint of restaurant workers"). He was also an avid follower of horse racing, and pursued a sideline trade offering betting tips (his paid Seattle Times obit called it "the exciting world of sports investment counseling"). Retirement and an ongoing battle with cancer failed to slow Ryan down: Last November he married his second wife, Barbara Wilson, in a white Lincoln Town Car at a Las Vegas drive-thru wedding chapel. Ryan died of cancer on August 10. His three sons include longtime local musicians Charlie Ryan (former drummer for the U-Men, Cat Butt, and Bottle of Smoke; more recently in Right On!) and Dan "Reno" Ryan (formerly in the Kings of Rock and Night Kings).

obits@thestranger.com