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It is with GREAT SADNESS that I'm updating this Web site. Our dear son Ryan Andrew Mangan passed away Monday November 25th, 2002 after a very brief illness.
I have not had the time to update this whole web site but wanted to at least add the beautiful euolgies that were spoken at Ryan's funeral. His Aunt Joanne (also his wonderful God Mother) touched our hearts deeply when she read "Ryan's Journey Through Life" of which she wrote. His best friend Emily Bovey who is now at Ottawa University wrote and read "My Friendship with Ryan" which made us all laugh and cry. Last but not least a good friend of the family George Funnel who was my great inspiration wrote a note as if from Ryan and it was read by Emily as well. I will begin with
'RYAN'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE"
Good morning, I am Sherrilyn's sister Joanne, and the proud Godmother of Ryan. Today, I would like you to follw me on a journey through Ryan's Life.
Ryan's parents felt blessed because he had the opportunity to embrace two diverse communities; the experiences of the country, rual living, school buses, tractors and the farm, as well as the opportunities that existed with "city living" in Gananoque. As diverse as both communities are, they connected in opening their hearts to share the journey of Ryan's life. Ryan wanted to be loved, for who he was. He wanted his personal characteristics to be appreciated, and to convey his individual features, and values, and to let you know his behaviour was more than loveable. Ryan had to overcome more obstacles than many of us can comprehend. He refused to let his disease restrict or confine him. He found the strength to fight through operations and pain, hospital stays and sickness. Although not blessed with the normal verbal ability, Ryan managed to communicate his feelings and ideas through his dynavox, his yellow Big Mac button (both programmed with many hours of love and dedication by his Mom) and his picture symbols. He also made us of his bright eyes, incredible smile, and his contagious laugh. Although a rare occasion, if you say Ryan's Mom Ma face, (a real frown with tears welling up in his eyes, only a face his mom could love) you knew he was upset. Ryan was a avid sportsman. In his younger years, he walked on the wild side, sharing the 3 wheeler with his dad, but opted for the more passive sports, as he grew older. Bowling was Ryan's first sport. A wooden bowling ball ramp was built to coincide with the height of his wheelchair so that he himself could push the ball off. The Gananoque Youth Bowling League inducted Ryan that year as the "Best Buddy Bowler". A favourite Sunday afternoon pastime was Ice Skating, with his parents on either side of his wheelchair. Ryan also tried his hand at curling. His peers would push the wheelchair down the ice as Ryan held the broom. He loved the wind beneath his wings and the ice got a great cleaning. Ryan symbolized the quote "if you can't play a a sport be one". He was a great fand and a genuine inspiration to all participants when he cheered his cousins and friends at baseball, hockey and figure skating events. Country Music was #1 with Ryan but Shania Twain was a 10+. When Ryan wasn't bopping to his tunes, he found time to attend special functions. His cultured side enjoyed the Young Choristers, and he made his TV debut on the Easter Seals Telethon. Rain or shine, Ryan and his mother braved the Terry Fox Run every year. Ryan was a true Canadian Fan...Blue Jays and the Toronto Mpale Leafs. He could start his own Hockey Hall of Fame for the Toronto Maple Leafs with his abundance of TO Hockey Memorabilia. Ryan was never a closet Maple Leaf Fan, and proudly displayed his choice. Saturday night, at the hospital, we figured Ryan had enough of his cellar Leafs and willed them to win for him and it worked! His Uncle Doug then whispered to Ryan, God is a Montreal Canadian's fan...but I think you have the will to convert him...Sorry George! A beacon of light in Ryan's life was St. Joseph's Separate School. The staff and the students selflessly shared their wealth of experiences and their vision of rich opportunities for Ryan. They pointed him in important directions and enthusiastically supported his journey and successes. The Ryan Mangan Sportsmanship Award is awarded annually at graduation. Ryan and Carolyn Campbell were the first recipients, Ryan was cited for his overall love of sports, team spirit, and commitment to participation in acting as a model for true sportsmanship. The love and encouragement from St. Joseph's instilled confidence in Ryan and set the stage for him to pursue his goals. Ryan's graduation message identified his strenghts were getting along with others and always have a smile. His goal was to do well in High School and be actively involved in school life. High school brough new friends, Semi Formals, rides in Limo's, girls, girls and more girls who couldn't resist his smile. Ryan developed as an entrepreneur, and his joke books sold out rapidly. Ryan returned to Jt. Joseph's Separate School for his Co-op placement. He taught children about various ways of communication, at the same time opening their curious eyes to the abilities of someone with disabilities. It was an appropriate tribute that his school life should start and end at St. Joseph's Separate School. When you think of Ryan, you think of Sherry, they were like SALT and PEPPER, THE TWO HAD BECOME ONE. Sherrilyn was Ryan's advocate, she was his voice, they were each other's strength and inspiration and together they left no door unopened. So it was fitting she should open his final door to rest and peace the day of his passing - she willed him into the arms of Jesus even though she did'nt want to let him go - she new it was time. Monday's child is full of Grace and Ryan became a part of our lives on a Monday and became our guardian angel in heaven on a Monday. There will never be another person like Ryan...no one else will ever have the eyes that mirror a soul, his incredible spirit, his two-arm hug, his cheerful smile, not one will laugh or cry like Ryan. No one will have his sense of humour or ever have his abilities, and especially no one will ever have his rare value, for Ryan was special. God sent him here to do a job, and Ryan was certainly qualifed. He taught us about the importance of unconditional love, life is a precious gift, and wer should live life to the fullest, and never take it for granted. He taught us to overcome our obstacles, and the meaning of the quality of friendship, to discover the beauty and ability in everyone. God is challenging us to look deeper and advocate for those with special needs. He taught us to feel, to see, to listen, to be patient, and that silence was O.K. He taught us to be creative, beyond our normal horizon. Ryan taught us that one's last days on Earth could be filled with living and not dying. Ryan heart was as big as his smile and he has left a piece of himself in all our hearts. Ryan loved his family, his friends, and his community and I would like to leave yo with this message from Ryan.
"PLEASE DON'T CRY"
Please don't cry because I am gone
For I am just "away"
I did not die and I never will,
I will be with you every day.
It is true I have left this Earth
But live in Spirit here
With peace and love I can't explain
I am happy, and I have no fear.
Who I was, I still am now
Even better than before
Heaven holds such beauty here
With mountains trees and more.
Please don't cry, just speak to me
The way you used to do,
Make all our memories happy ones,
That will hug and comfort you
Remember me with happiness
Don't grieve because I am gone,
In heaven I am growing still
And my life will continue on.
Please don't cry for me because I will share
All you say and do
In every moment of every day
My love will be with you too.
If Ryan has been blessed with the power of speech, I believe these words would be close to the thanks he would give to his parents, Sherrilyn and Michael.
BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME
For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought into my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful, Mom and Dad
You're the two who held me up
And never let me fall
Your are the two who saw me through, through it all
You gave me wings and made me fly
You took my hand, and told me to reach for the sky
If I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
When you stood by me, I stood tall
I had your love so I knew I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
And even though I had my limitatins
I know this much is true
I was blessed Mom and Dad because I was loved by you
You were always there for me
The tender way you carried me
You were my light in the dark, shining your love into my life
You have been my inspiration
You have always shown me the trugh
My world was a better place becaus of you tow
Your were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I could't speak
You were my eyes when I could't see
Your always saw the best there was in me
You lifted me up when I couln't reach
You gave me faith because you believed
I'm everthing I am Mom and Dad because you two loved me
Every night my mom would sing this little song to me - but tonight my dear mom, it will be my turn to sooth you and sing you to sleep with our favourite song
Thank you, Thank you, Thank God for you, you are the wind beneath my wings
I Love you...
This is the eulogy that Emily, Ryan's best friends wrote.
MY FRIENDSHIP WITH RYAN"
They tell you that the most worthwhile things in life are the challenges that you take on. No matter if you win or lose, its how you play the game. That is a metaphor for the life of Ryan Mangan. I didn't realize that the day that I began to care for Ryan would be the most life-altering experience that I have yet to, and will probably ever, take on.
Ryan is one of the best friends that I've ever had and will ever have. Together, we created a bond of friendship and love. It was very different from anything that I had ever experienced with anyone else. When I'm upset, I think of his strength and all that he has been through. In his eyes I soought comfort and through his smile the belief that everthing would be alright. To me, Ryan was a rainbow. Just when I thought that it would never stop raining, the sun would come out and this beautiful rainbow would form. Ryan shone so brightly over everthing that he touched. he touched the hearts of all that he knew. There is nothing better than the beauty of a rainbow to describe the smile that gave everyone who was close to Ryan such comfort and relief. I've see Ryan through the beast and the worst of times over the past years. I've seen his family struggle through operations, tough decisions and heart break. I've learned more than anyone could ever teach me through the love and the strength of Ryan and his family Ryan's life was as full a life as anyone could ever live. During his St. Joseph days, he experienced everything from sports, such as scotter board basketball and curling, to speeches which he performed to his classmates, on things that mattered most to him. His first speech was on his idol, Bompa (Sherry's dad). After receiving his dynavox, Ryan began to communicate more avidly and for the first time, his parents heard the words, "I love you", come from their son. Like his father, he loved the farm and the sight of the tractor would put a hugh smile on his face. His eyes would also light up a the sight of the the little yellow bus pulling into his drive way. They say to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Well, for Ryan, it may have seemed at some points, that he was giving into Funnell's argument that the Montreal Canadians were better that the leafs. He never did. He stuck to his team of choice. he was a leafs man through and through. The cutest thing was when he would do his head-bobbing dance to his favourite country tunes, and when he was younger, how his mother would get on the floor with him and they would dance together. When he was still in his crawling prime, we'd race him down the hall. I could never beat him in a race. He was a fast little devil! Like any young boy, Ryan experienced hugh crushes on a variety girls and was always surrounded by a flock of chicks! As Ryan matured more, he continued with his crushes on girls. All that you had to do was mention the word "boob" to the guy and a huge smile was soon to follow. After moving on to high school, Ryan moved from the St. Joseph herum and continued "picking up." He took a group of six girls to the semi formal last yer and showed them all a great time! What a ladies man! It will remain in all our memories forever. His birthdays were something to remember. Whether it be a crazy time at the barn during his younger days, or a heavenly time at "HOOTERS" for his nineteenth birthday. There was always a good time had by all. His birthday at the Gananoque INN was enjoyed by everyone he loved. Beer, friends, family and hockey...Ryan wouldn't have wanted anthing more; except maybe a few of the "Hooters girls", but hey, you can't have them all Ryan. One thing cannot be denied, Ryan was always dressed well. That mother of his would line up the clothing for the following day. We never follwed the clothing choice mind you, but it was always a comfort to know that in a pinch, there would be no big choice between plaid or solid, jeans or khakis! Oh, don't worry Sherry, we never forgot the mohairs. There was always good times and lots of laughs at the Country Squire. We were all over gananoque, from the Festival of the Islands, to ghe Casino. He enjoyed sight-seeing by the pool, if you know what I mean! Over the past two years, Ryan's co-op placement brought and understanding to children of all grades at St. Joe's. He taught them about communication, humour and so much more than what can be explained. He opened their eyes to love and laughter, teaching them so much. He showed them ability rather than disability. When asked what they recallmost about Ryan, everone agrees that he always had a smile. Ryan was full of strength, courage and hope. There is no one more noble to have met. In a life time there will never be another Ryan Mangan. He was a gift from God for all thoses whose lives he has touched. I love you Ryan. Thank you on behalf of everone who has ever met you. "How luck I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye too. Love Emily
Our dear friend George Funnel who also is very physcially challenged wrote this as if Ryan would have wrote it
I am speaking on behalf of Ryan.
To Mom and Dad for the ties you dressed me, I want to thank you. For the tiems you brushed my hair, I want to thank you. For the times you took me to school, I want to thank you. For the times you put me on the floor when I was in pain, I want to thank you For the time you took me to Ottawa for my 19th birthday (to Hooters), I want to thank you For the many times you took me to the doctor, I want to thank you. For the times you told me that the Maple Leafs won, I want to thank you. For the times you tucked me into bed, I want to thank you. Without loving parents like you I might have been in an institute, and had a much different life. YOUR CORSS HAS BEEN LIFTED.
Uncle Doug can now been seen and heard on CKWS News Broadcast at 6:00 p.m. He is the new Sports announcer and we are so PROUD of him. He is the talk of the town for his great speaking skills and opinions and that smirky grin. He even wore the Toronto Maple Leaf tie we got him for his Birthday - now thats beeing a real sport. On Friday November 29th Uncle Doug did a memorial tribute to his nephew Ryan as promised. He wore Ryan's Alyn McCauley Toronto jersey and his tie - thank you for keeping your promise to me. Keep up the great work Doug!
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