It is with immense sadness that we advise the passing of our son, Ryan Andrew West, on May 30th, 2023 while working near Fort St. James in northern British Columbia.

Ryan was born on Saltspring Island in January 1998 to proud parents, Line (Dagenais) and Paul West. After spending his first two years on Galiano Island, Ryan, along with his older brother, Joshua, moved to Comox on Vancouver Island where he and his family called home for the next 20 plus years.

Ryan attended L'école-Au-cœur-de-l’île from Kindergarten to Grade 12. He loved everything outdoors: skiing, soccer, rugby, cycling, hiking, fishing, and most of all, being with his golden retriever, Champ. For those of you that either played soccer with him, watched him play, or coached him, you know that Ryan played with intensity when he wanted to but could be a challenge to deal with as an opponent or as his coach.

After graduation from high school, Ryan went on to study environmental sciences at UBC in Kelowna where he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences in May 2022.

Throughout his education, Ryan worked in a wide range of summer and part-time employment opportunities including time at a wild buffalo farm, coaching and officiating youth soccer, a summer as a fishing guide on a floating fishing resort on the BC coast, pouring concrete, detailing cars, picking vegetables, dishwashing (where he loved the free food perk), but after his second year of university his summers were occupied by planting trees throughout northern BC. Ryan loved everything about tree planting; living in a tent, camp food, the scenery, but most of all he loved the people he worked with.

For anyone that met Ryan, they would know that he loved to talk. He could engage in conversation with people of all ages and brought a smile to the face of all that he met. Many of the stories he shared came with photos to support the story being told.

Ryan had the opportunity to travel extensively, whether visiting family in Montreal or Nova Scotia, or vacationing in Hawaii, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, California, and the west coast of Canada. He also had a passion for skiing throughout BC. He was always up for a trip or a new adventure. He has managed to meet many people and experience so much in his 25 years.

Last fall, his plans for a lengthy trip to Central and South America were preempted by a medical issue that ultimately took him from us while he was at work near Fort St. James. His family takes comfort that he was in a place he wanted to be when he passed.

Ryan lived life to his fullest and while his journey has ended far too soon, he lived life large. He will be dearly missed by his loving parents Paul and Line, his brother Joshua, his maternal grandparents Lise and Jean Dagenais, and his numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins across the country.

In memory of Ryan, donations can be made to Epilepsy Canada, or, as we think Ryan may prefer, take your son, daughter, husband, wife, or a significant other out for a nice meal, because we all know Ryan loved his food!