My sincere condolences to Ryan's family and friends.  My partner Nick and I are profoundly sad.

Ryan was someone who I assumed would be in our lives forever. His presence was reassuring and kind, like a friend should be. He went about daily life up north in his beloved community of Advocate Harbour, NS and I went about mine here in Rhode Island, USA. I can best describe it as this ever present comforting feeling knowing he was out there.

Nick and I would see Ryan on our annual trips to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia each August but Nick and Ryan were in regular correspondence via some of the most beautiful letters I've ever read. When one arrived we'd read it together and discuss it for days as Nick carefully considered how he'd respond. My heart breaks for Nick that his beautiful friendship with Ryan is gone forever. But not just Nick, or me, Ryan had such a positive impact on so many people mostly in his community but also far abroad in China where he taught for a number of years. Many of Ryan's students from China still kept in contact with him.

Teaching was Ryan's passion whether it was in China or in Nova Scotia where he taught in several communities. On the morning in August we left Ryan (not knowing it would be our last) we flipped through the most recent school yearbook. Advocate Harbour has a small school system and Ryan knew every single child from grade 1 to 12, their struggles, triumphs and ambitions and commented on each as we flipped the pages. He saw a path forward for every single one regardless of how difficult their family situation was or what their goals were. Ryan was just as proud of the student who he'd heard passed a heavy equipment operators course as the one who was accepted to Mount Allison or McGill. One of the most touching moments I recall is he paused on a page to point out a picture of a smiling little boy (first grade maybe?) saying his name that I don't recall and then, "he calls me Mr. Hot Chocolate because I'm always carrying around a mug (of tea) and he thinks its hot chocolate." Ryan chuckled and smiled for a moment and moved to the next page. I hope little "Mr. Hot Chocolate" is okay. To his students at home and abroad, I hope you can find some comfort knowing Ryan genuinely cared about each one of you.

At the encouragement of his friends next door and his fascination with found objects, Ryan entered the modern century with the creation of @beachcombingadvocate. He used this platform to share his love of beach coming and his inherent skill for composition showcasing the oddities he'd find washed up on the beaches in and around Advocate Harbour. He became quite fascinated by patterns of items that he'd find including lobster tags and meteorological equipment often communicating with others interested in the same and even government officials.

I loved his desire for adventure and exploration. In August he took us high into the hills of blueberry fields overlooking the Bay of Fundy to show us the abandoned compound of a local character, Jim Slimp. It is a spectacular site and Ryan was in his element. Our last pictures of him were taken there.  Upon our return to his house from the adventure, a lovely cranberry cake he'd made was awaiting us.

Literature was Ryan's great love and a primary component of the bond he had with Nick. Nick & Ryan stimulated each other's minds as they discussed literature, art, design and the complexities of life. The last message i received from Ryan was that he was laying on his couch smoking his pipe reading a Ronald Firbank book Nick had given him when we visited in August. Having sat on that couch and smoked a pipe with Ryan myself, I can't imagine a more comforting scene for him. Good book in one hand, pipe in the other and reflecting upon the author's words and Nick as he read and puffed away. He gleefully boasted to me about a recently received giant tin of Prince Albert tobacco from a friend and was so pleased as it was more than enough to make it through winter...

My family's summer home in Waterside, NB looks across the bay to Apple River, NS which is the community next to Advocate. Every time I'd look across the water I'd think of Ryan, smile briefly and wonder what he was doing. I'm fearful of how I'll feel the next time I'm in Waterside and I look across and know he is no longer there.

Nick & I have posted more photos on Instagram (not knowing where else to) @rioyster & @nickhausshop we would love to connect with others who knew him.  I'd be happy share photos etc to anyone they are meaningful to.  

We miss Ryan dearly and know the feelings others like us are going through.  It is so nice to see the postings and photos people have shared.

Dear Zita and George,

I want to express my sincerest condolences on the passing of your son.

I met Ryan during my bachelor's of education at MSVU, and many years later I ran into him in the streets of Nanchang, not knowing we had both been living in the same city for several months. I spent two years there, where Ryan became a dear friend to my wife, Neila, and I. He attended our wedding in New Glasgow in 2018, and we would make biannual trips to visit him at his home in Advocate Harbour. Most recently, we visited to introduce him to our newborn son, William.

Anyone who knew Ryan, knows that he was extremely well read and truly had a way with words. I would often joke with my wife that listening to Ryan speak was a lot like reading a book. I would find myself transfixed as he described the cool air on his morning walks to work in China, or the aromas of his morning tea before school started while reading the economist quietly at his desk. One could also say that my vocabulary benefitted the most from my relationship with Ryan.

I will never forget that joyful moment we shared in Nanchang, where I ran into Ryan for the first time in 5 years.  I exited a restaurant with some friends and saw another forgeigner walking with a man(Luca) across the narrow street filled with e-bikes. I called out "Ryan?" and he responded with "Matt?"  I quickly ran accross the street and gave him a hug.  At the time, I couldn't possibly have known the positive impact Ryan would have on my life.

I will always remember my dear friend Ryan for his warm hospitality; his dinner table covered in fresh food made with veggies straight from the garden.

I will always remember him for the wonderful conversations we had together; he was a wealth of knowledge and had a beautiful way of looking at the world.

And I will always remember him for the appreciation he shared with his friends for life’s small pleasures.

He was a great and caring friend and I will truly miss him.

-Matthew MacTavish