Obituary of Ryan French

Ryan Michael French, 16, of Thompson, died Monday, January 2nd, 2017 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Ryan was born June 20, 2000 in Worcester MA, the son of Jeffrey C. French and Joslyn (Sheldon) French. Ryan was raised in Thompson, where he attended Mary R. Fisher Elementary and Thompson Middle Schools and was a member of the Junior National Honor Society. He was involved in Thompson youth sports, including Little League Baseball, Recreational Basketball, Middle School Cross Country, and Track & Field. Ryan was a Junior at Killingly High School where he was enrolled in the Agricultural Education Program, was a FFA member, and was an Honors student. He was also a student representative to the Killingly Board of Education. He ran on the Track & Field team, was Captain of the Cross Country team and an ECC All Star. In addition to running, Ryan also had a passion for fishing. His two favorite places to fish were Cape Cod, where from a young age he could land stripers bigger than himself, and locally at Alexanders Lake, where he could be seen in his red fishing Kayak pulling in bass and pickerel in his compassionate catch & release fashion around the Weaver family cottage and Kelly’s Cove. He recently had an enjoyment of golf, and is most likely somewhere on the front 9 getting an enjoyable reacquainted golf tutorial from his Grandpa French. Ryan worked part time for a local bait wholesaler, and previously volunteered at a local pet boarding kennel. He was a member of Christ Church in Pomfret where he was baptized and progressed to the Young Adults in Church (YAC) group. One of his most memorable and enjoyable events was a recent church pilgrimage he took with fellow Christ Church youth to San Francisco. There they volunteered at a local soup kitchen, renovated a local park, and Ryan was able to run across the Golden Gate Bridge. He considered Fr. David Carter a good friend and mentor, and cherished his church group and leaders. Ryan was a kind and friendly soul with an infectious grin who possessed a level of maturity far beyond his 16 years. He will be sadly missed by many, especially his parents and Grandpa and Grandma Sheldon. Ryan was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Charles French and Joyce (Weaver) French from Sterling. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandparents Edwin Sheldon and Alice (Joslin) Sheldon from Putnam, Uncles and Aunts Stephen and Elaine Sheldon of Bozrah, Michael and Jeri Sheldon of Saco, ME; numerous Great Uncles & Great Aunts, Cousins, and many true friends from the quiet corner area, too many to list. Calling Hours will be at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson Saturday, January 7th, 2017 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. A celebration of Ryan’s life will be held for all to attend at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ryan French Memorial Scholarship Fund, a scholarship fund set up by Ryan’s family to benefit Killingly High School Agricultural Education students moving on to higher education. Checks can be made out to “Ryan French Memorial Scholarship Fund” and mailed to: Savings Institute, 596 Hartford Pike, Dayville, CT 06241, Attn: Emily Petrik. Share a memory at www.gagnonandcostellofh.com