Ryan,

I’ll never forget being told I’d be joining you on Guardians of the Galaxy. I was nervous. We’d walked past each other a thousand times but had never officially met. Almost a decade later, I’m so grateful our paths crossed.

That project was challenging, but you never made me feel anything was impossible. You led, supported, and made sure we were taken care of. You were ALWAYS there.

Throughout the years, you were my tall tree, swaying in the strongest winds yet still providing shelter when the rain came pouring down. I tried to do the same for you, though I always fell a little “short.” I know you’d get that joke, Lyan Lyan (my nickname for you).

You taught me humility, sincerity, vulnerability, and resilience. We knew we’d have each other’s backs. You were a trailblazer, and even when we disagreed, we listened and learned. Our trust only grew stronger.

You saw me at my most vulnerable, sometimes landing you in awkward situations we’d later laugh about. Thank you for showing me your vulnerable side, too, and trusting me enough to let your guard down. That meant more than you knew. I’ll treasure those moments of honesty and laughter.

Lyan Lyan, I have to admit I’m carrying some regret. I wish I’d reached out more, checked in more often, and told you what you meant to me. I wish we’d had more conversations and more laughs. You made such a difference in my life, not just as a colleague or leader, but as my friend.

Thank you for being my tall tree. I hope you knew I’d have stood beside you through any storm, too. I’ll carry your lessons and our memories wherever life takes me.

I miss you, my friend. More than you know.

You entered this world gasping for air
Vulnerable and helpless and unaware
The nurse said what a beautiful baby
Cradled by mom making one happy lady
Watching you grow into one lovely boy
Always bringing us pleasure and such joy
As you turned into a teenager we could see
How special a person you would be
Smart funny kind helpful and nice
Never ashamed to ask for parental advice
In a blink of an eye off to college
Learning as always to gain more knowledge
More wisdom you sought at film school in BC
Looking searching for a job in movies or TV
Often informing us of your days by phone
Thoughtful as usual dad mom how are things at home
Hard work dedication loyalty a dream career
Married with two kids loved by peers
You left this world just way too soon
Shine up in heaven like the sun and full moon
We love you Ryan always and forever
One day we will have the honour to be together

Love hugs mom dad

I first met Ryan many years ago in Vancouver, when I was an artist and he had just become the Production Manager on a show called The 5th Wave. From then on, he became one of my favorite production people I’ve ever worked with.

Before I really got to know him, I just remember him as this really tall guy who walked like a really tall guy. Being a short guy myself, I used to hope I wouldn’t bump into him in the hallway because, somehow, every time we crossed paths, Ryan would stop for a chat. And there I was, looking way up at him, probably putting some serious strain on my neck while giving everyone around us a pretty good idea of just how short I was….

But honestly, I’m so glad he always stopped.

Every conversation with Ryan left me with the same impression. He was such a calm and thoughtful producer who always gave people room to think, take their time, and share their opinions. He never rushed anyone or tried to push his own views on others.

He was exactly the same on video calls, too. He’d keep such a straight face that I could share my thoughts without being influenced by his reactions. I remember once thinking he might have paused his camera to take a pee break or something. He was that still! Not a single facial muscle moving. Looking back, maybe he was just giving me the space to get all my thoughts out.

Even after I left Vancouver for Seoul, I’d get excited whenever Ryan’s name came up in conversations. It was always great to hear how much people respected him, both as a producer and as a person. And I always felt a little proud to say, “I knew Ryan way before you guys did! We worked together for years back in Vancouver.”

I feel really lucky to have known him and to have shared those years together. I’ll remember him as a friend with a big heart, someone who genuinely made people feel heard and respected.

I just wish he had been a little shorter so I wouldn’t have had to strain my neck so much. 

Rest in peace, Ryan. 
You will be missed, buddy.

We always knew each other but it wasn't until we finally worked together that we truly connected. You taught me so much, and I'll forever be indebted to you. I knew without a doubt you were one of the best people to ever know. 

The best husband and dad to a family you loved so dearly, always sharing stories with us that were full of love and laughter.
You were the best cat dad, even when they drove you crazy. 
You had the best sense of humor and the kindest heart. You constantly made me laugh, even when it was at my expense. 
I'll miss catching you off guard with random Australian facts and phrases, only for you turn it into something that made that country seem even more ridiculous.
Thanks for listening to Steph and me rant on and on about books. You put up with us, and we loved you for it.
You had an endless string of Simpson's gifs, cause no one else was as obsessed. There was always a gif for every moment! I remember you just rewatching season 1-6 over and over again at work, and yes, season 6 will always be the best!
Our mutual weakness of getting nauseous in car rides. And our mutual dislike for the same people.
I'm glad we got to go to a baseball game with Bryan - I wanted to leave at the 7th inning, and you, of course, vehemently refused. 
You never got sick of the endless taco restaurants I wanted we go to. Or the margaritas I always told you to order, you hated them every time, but maybe try it just 1 more time. 
I loved your gardening updates, I still have photos of a tree you were digging up out of the backyard that you felt you needed to share the play-by-play.
But most of all I loved our summer patio pub days with Chris and Curtis, Giampa (if he was in town), and this year with Michael too. These were the best. Best friends talking and laughing. We were always trying to drag you out for a drink. These won't be the same without you. 

You were my mentor, my friend, my brother. You were the best. I'll love you and miss you so much, every day. Forever.

Ryan, from the day you joined the models team, I knew we were going to be friends. We started chatting about video games, anime, favorite movies and your time onset. I knew you were the real deal. Then you moved up at work but we always kept in touch. Grabbing lunches here or there to then getting lunch every Friday at Brown's until covid sent us home. Even then we tried to catch up a few times a month to have some beers and talk about how life was going like being a Dad, family, movies and games. We always ended up talking later than we should have!

We still got to work together a good bit over the years. You always made each project easier as I got to work with my good friend Ryan. Over the last year and a half we got to work in an even tighter capacity than ever before and again you made it great. We caught up even more during and after work where we got to be ourselves. You encourage me to get the rowing machine that I have definitely thrown my back out on a few times! Recommended shows like Frieren that have become my favorite. At work you always shielded us from what was happening up top while still giving us the downlow, making the driest jokes, being encouraging and real when shit was hitting the fan. Your insight through everything helped give me the motivation to be where I'm at today. You made every day better and made me better.

You were such an amazing Dad that when you were giving me advice on our upcoming arrival, I knew it was coming from the best. You prepared me for so many things I didn't expect and set me up for many good dad jokes. 

Thank you for being one of the best. I'm going to miss you forever and will be thinking about you everyday.

Matt

When I first met you, you came to save the day on a project with Josie and I - and I knew from the get-go we were a dream team made in heaven. We laughed and whinged in equal measure. We were always in each other’s corner, the three musketeers - though we’d never call it that, for fear that we’d all cringe and be embarrassed by such a statement. I was happy. I was so proud to be a part of something special. After that, they split us up, Josie going off to follow in your footsteps and me knowing I would never be as wonderful as you in that role and knowing if I made the jump, I wouldn’t get to work with you anymore. True to my heart, I stayed where I was and got to continue working with the teams under your continued mentorship. And friendship. Cause you were so much more than a colleague. You were my friend first, producer second. You made me laugh from my belly before/during/after a hard day. Your sense of humour; dry and sarcastic. I admired you so much for being someone so level headed and not hot headed or entitled, even in your position. I felt - and our teams always felt - you were human. A compassionate leader to always look to and lean on. Your family was so fortunate to have this person at home to call theirs. It may have just been our regular lotto max dreams talking, but I’m sad you never got to become a landscaper and get to move your family back home for a softer Ontario life of “landscape summers, shovel snow winters” as you called it. 

I will always cherish you and hold you in the highest regard and you will stay my hero even in the afterlife.

Stephanie

OBITUARY

Ryan Thomas Flick

17 October, 1986 – 30 October, 2026

Burkeview Memorial Services

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