Ryan Reid

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Ryan Mitchell Reid, who left this world far too soon on July 4, 2025, at the age of 33.

Beloved son of Devon Reid (Christine Hunter) and Joanne Goneau (George Menexis), Ryan will be lovingly remembered by his siblings Jordyn Reid-Stevenson (Ben Stevenson), Zackery Reid, Panagiotis Menexis, and Mackenzy Reid. He was a proud and devoted uncle to Jayden Reid, Alexander Stevenson, Mitchell Stevenson, and Owen Stevenson. Ryan was a cherished grandson to Joan and Jake Goneau, and is predeceased by his beloved grandmother, Adassa Jones.

He was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, an uncle, a teacher, a friend. A musician, a writer, an artist, and a beautiful free spirit who danced through life’s streets, trails, clouds, and waves with unmatched energy and depth.

A graduate of Ashbury College, Ryan went on to attend Dalhousie University in Halifax, where he studied History and earned what he often joked was an unofficial degree in good times and great memories. Fluent in French and endlessly curious, his intellectual appetite extended far beyond the classroom.

After university, Ryan set his sights on the West Coast and quickly fell in love with the energy and beauty of Vancouver.

A gifted performer, Ryan was a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music and had a lifelong love for the arts. In recent years, he took great pride in curating his ever-growing vinyl collection, always searching for the perfect track to match the moment. He was also a devoted television fan, especially of The O.C., a series he knew inside and out. He could quote every line, anticipate every twist, and often dreamed of living in California himself.

From a young age, Ryan was a traveler at heart. He explored Florida and the U.S. throughout childhood, and at age 11 began traveling through Europe with his mom, Joanne, and stepdad, George. His adventures took him to Greece and its islands, Turkey, Italy, Egypt, and Israel. One of his most treasured destinations was Kyparissi, Greece—a village that became a second home. Ryan spent countless summers there, learning to speak Greek and forming deep, lifelong friendships with the people who welcomed him as one of their own. The village, the sea, and its community held a permanent place in his heart.

After university, Ryan moved to Prince George, BC to tree plant, later settling in Whistler to work at Sunshine Village and Blackcomb. His travels continued through Seattle, San Francisco, and across the globe to Japan and Thailand. An avid skier, Ryan found both peace and exhilaration in the mountains. He was brilliant, well-read, and deeply intentional in how he experienced the world.

Ryan’s life was filled with adventure, art, music, and love, but it was also marked by his battle with addiction. For years, he fought to reclaim his story. And he did. With help from the Royal Ottawa Addiction Centre and the unwavering love of his family, Ryan found his way back to himself. He embraced sobriety, reconnected, and began to rebuild. His strength, humour, and kindness never wavered—not even in the shadows.

But addiction doesn’t fight fair. It doesn’t care about its victims, their loved ones, or any part of their world. Instead, it yells at them, it pressures them, and it causes pain until it’s fed.

As we unfolded the story of Ryan’s life through his journals and social media posts, we discovered well-written funeral requests—crafted with wit and optimism. He imagined living into his 90s, having met thousands of people from cities all over the world. And yet, in just 33 years, he did exactly that.

In his writings, he left behind a few unique wishes: that every guest be charged a $5 entrance fee, to be entrusted to his lifelong best friend, JamieLee, “who will know what to do with it.” He requested that fried chicken and waffles be served, along with bananas and sorbet or gelato—his favourite comfort foods. But above all, Ryan asked that his life be celebrated, not mourned—with music, laughter, and love. True to form, even in goodbye, Ryan made sure to bring people together with a smile.

Ryan will be remembered for his sharp wit, boundless intelligence, kind spirit, and the way he made others feel truly seen and heard. His presence brought laughter, light, and connection wherever he went.

Ryan, thank you for the music, the memories, and the love. You will live on in every beat, every story, and every heart you touched.

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Celebration of Life & Visitation

A celebration of Ryan’s life will be held at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.

Visitation: Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Celebration of Life: Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Refreshments to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Ryan’s memory may be made to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, supporting mental health and addiction care in our community: www.theroyal.ca/foundation

A 40 day remembrance service will be held in Kyparissi, Greece on August 17th, 2025. 

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Chef Ric Watson’s food truck from Ottawa is more than a kitchen on wheels; it’s a mission-driven space that feeds both body and soul. With a deep commitment to supporting individuals in recovery and reintegration, the food truck’s presence at Ryan’s celebration of life is a powerful reflection of his journey. Ryan believed in second chances, in community, and in the healing power of good food. Chef Ric’s work embodies those same values, making this connection not just fitting, but deeply meaningful.