It is with broken hearts that our family announces the passing, after a courageous battle, of our beautiful Ryan Edward Swayze at the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Tuesday May 21st, 2019 in his 46th year.
Ryan was so many things to so many people: beloved husband and best friend of Jodi (Russell); loving father of Dryden and Maddux; cherished son of the late Bruce Swayze (1993) and Sandra Swayze-Keenan; beloved stepson of Larry Keenan; dear brother of Marc (Charlotte), Kris (Kristin), and Jill (Corky) Butcher; cherished son-in-law of Betsy Russell and Mike Twigg, and the late Rande Russell (1995); fabulous uncle to Everitt, Avery, Sloane, Kerrigan, Jalen (Kaitlyn) and Jordyn; stepbrother of Derek Twigg (Jessica), Leigh Ann Twigg (Adam), Shelly (Terry) Wallace and Stephanie (Mark) Gauthier.
Teacher (of more than 20 years, most recently at John McGregor Secondary School); athlete (one of the greatest long-ball hitters at Maple City Golf & Country Club); sports fan (with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all pro sports & MMA); tireless worker (he loved the brotherhood of the WR corn crew so much he spent his summers off working with them); traveller (with his family, at every opportunity); friend (to so many more than can be listed here); fighter, to the end.
Ryan, we will miss your light and laughter, your selflessness, your care and courage; your Ryanizums, those coinages which had a way of putting the world back into place. These you’ve thankfully left for us, when we most need them. We love you so much and will miss you every single day. We will never forget you.
Arrangements entrusted to the Alexander & Houle Funeral Home, 245 Wellington West, Chatham, 519-352-2710. Cremation has taken place.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre, 565 Richmond St., Chatham, Saturday June 1st, from 3 to 9 pm. Friends planning an expression of remembrance are asked to consider donating to an education fund that will be set up for Ryan’s children and the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. Donations may be made at the funeral home or at the celebration of life. On-line condolences may be left at www.alexanderfuneralhome.ca
