Superstar Kiwi actress Lucy Lawless has posted a loving tribute online to her father, a former longtime suburban Auckland mayor, after he died yesterday.
Frank Ryan, the former mayor of Mt Albert, died peacefully surrounded by his wife, Julie, and children, according to a death notice in today's Weekend Herald.
![Lucy Lawless described her father as "lots of fun". File photo / Nick Reed](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FXYIQFF62TG2BP74DMR6L2TQIU.jpg?auth=8f7c4e3ba4727312f0864408905f52148d416ea29fb86da4855f1ea5818886e8&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Lawless, who rose to fame as the star of Xena: Warrior Princess, posted a tribute to her father on Facebook yesterday afternoon.
"O mio Babbino Caro! A wonderful husband, father and grandfather shuffled off his mortal coil today. So we celebrate his life, his many kindnesses and his public spiritedness. From humble beginnings, he made a sensational job of it. He was lots of fun. Mayor of Mt Albert 1968-1990. Shine on!"