Ryan Blatstein
The son of Atlantic City developer Bart Blatstein has died.
Ryan Blatstein, 39, was often by his father's side during visits to Atlantic City, whether after his purchase of the Showboat or the building of the Island Waterpark.
"As you know, Bart Blatstein is a champion for the city of Atlantic City," Mayor Marty Small said Monday. "And Ryan was there with him every step of the way."
The younger Blatstein was among those armed with a shovel during the waterpark's groundbreaking in January 2022.
“It will be the best thing Atlantic City has seen,” Ryan Blatstein promised that day.
He told BreakingAC that he and his father had visited water parks all over to see what worked and what they could do differently.
Ryan Blatstein also recalled fondly the visits the family would make to the area growing up.
"We had a house when I was very young in Atlantic City, and my sister and I always enjoyed going to the shore," he said in emails about the city.
"We would always go down and bring our dogs when I was very young," he wrote shortly after the groundbreaking. "This was way before everything and today it’s a remarkable journey to see what’s been going on. Just a loan the real estate value has been going up dramatically and it’s going to continue.
Ryan Blatstein with Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small. "We are going to keep making Atlantic City better and better and better," Ryan Blatstein vowed. "Creating more jobs. Creating more opportunity. Increasing the tourism industry in Atlantic City."
Blatstein was also a major supporter of police, often seen wearing an Atlantic City Police Department baseball cap.
"He was a tremendous supporter of law enforcement," Police Chief James Sarkos said. "He's going to be sorely missed around here. He was a great guy."
Details about the cause of death were not made public.
Small said he has spoked to Bart Blatstein about his son's loss, "and he knows we are all fully behind him."
"Ryan was a very personable guy," the mayor said. "He was a great guy, caring. He loved Atlantic City. We’re going to miss him."
