“He had to fight three time harder and work three times harder than most kids to do anything.”

Ryan was born in 1999 and grew up in Pittsford, New York, just outside of Rochester as the youngest of 3 boys. Ryan learned to be active within his parish from his father Pippo, and his mother Janet, and was engaged with anything he could, including Youth Ministry, the choir, and serving as an altar boy.

He was very young when his parents discovered he was special needs with auditory processing struggles. He underwent speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, but overcame those early limitations. Still he had to work 3 times harder than others but when he understood something, it stuck with him. He was smart and deliberate. Most importantly, he understood what it meant to be like Jesus and serve others. Because of this, he had a special concern for young people with disabilities.

While at high school, he participated in the National Catholic Youth Conferences in Indianapolis. Every July, he spent a week living in a convent and working in a service program performing manual labor at the Morning Star, a foster home for medically fragile children, and Bethany House, a shelter for women and children for those suffering violence and abuses.

He was described as a sweet old soul, who was a steady rock amongst his friends.

He attended Saint Bonaventure University, a Franciscan school about 2 hours from his home, where he majored in sociology and criminology. As a member of the Mt. Irenaeus community, he served as Mountain Community Leader attending retreats and guiding others as a student minister. During the summers he performed a work-study program near the school helping poor people. In the mornings he worked at an organic farm operated by Franciscan sisters, followed by afternoons at The Warming House, a soup kitchen, where he was popular with the regulars. Incoming freshmen met Ryan through his role as a Peer Coach, where he mentored and provided support. He also served as a positive role model for children in the Olean community.

He graduated cum laude in May of 2023 and joined the Capuchin Volunteer Corps in Washington D.C. in August. Through the program, he worked at the Don Bosco Rey Catholic High School in Maryland, that combines work and study to those with limited economic means. He helped students prepare for college and learn job-readiness skills. He looked forward to the retreats and forged strong friendships and bonds with his fellow volunteers.

He met regularly with Brother Stephen, who is studying to become a priest. One of the things Stephen felt and told Ryan was, “The Lord has a special place for you.”

Several days later, On the night of January 18th, 2024, Ryan was walking home with 2 of his friends from a Holy Hour and social event at the Catholic Church when a car pulled up and robbed them. When no one was able to produce any cash, one of the 2 individuals shot Ryan and ran. He died shortly after at a local hospital. He was 23.

For God’s Glory.