We lost our wonderful, one of a kind son Ryan July 31. Ryan was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on July 9, 1992 and passed away peacefully at home in Chandler, Arizona, USA on July 31, 2020, at the age of 28 years.
Ryan was a very gifted young man, but had a difficult life by any standard. He loved to debate ANY topic, and possessed very detailed knowledge in an astonishing number of areas. Most recently, Ryan had taken to cooking and would, more often than not, whip up a custom gourmet meal for his young family after returning home from a hard day’s work.
Ryan’s greatest passion, after family, was his music. Prior to the birth of his children, Ryan was a key member of the local Phoenix house or EDM music scene. He was also one of the founding or original members of a local DJ collective. Ryan’s talents resulted in the record label release of two of his original tracks. It was not unusual for Ryan to sit at the family piano. With no formal piano training, Ryan would improvise the most beautiful, melodious, and calming music, causing everyone in the house to pause, listen, and applaud.
Ryan ultimately was a very giving person who possessed a special innocence and naivete. When he received his much-needed and much-anticipated “coronavirus money”, he immediately donated it to well deserving individuals and families. His giving, welcoming nature has been noted recently by many.
Ryan leaves behind, and will be terribly missed by, his best friend, soulmate, companion, and partner of the last four years, Kayla Roblee, as well as their two young boys, Ryker, aged 2.5 years, and Skyler, aged 51 weeks. Ryan will also be terribly missed by his mother Ann Smith; step-father Mitchell Smith; father Joseph Emery; half-brother Brandon Emery and his mother Kim Lacelle; grandparents Bill and Joan Descoteaux, Mary Emery and the late Norm Emery, and Glen and Carolyn Smith; and Kayla’s family, father Dana Roblee, with whom Ryan had a very strong bond, mother Holly Roblee, and siblings Christopher, Melissa, Jacob, and Hailey.
Ryan holds a special place in the hearts of many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Donations to your local homeless shelter or food bank would be much appreciated and would acknowledge Ryan’s spirit and nature of giving.
