(09/02/14) West Warwick - Ryan P. Nelson, 34, of Brooklyn, NY, died unexpectedly on Friday, August 29, 2014.
Born in Providence, he was the beloved son of Barbara M. (Romano) Nelson of West Warwick and the late J. Richard Nelson.
Ryan graduated from West Warwick High School (WWHS) in 1998. While attending WWHS, he was actively involved in the design and production of the yearbook. After graduation, he returned as a member of the staff serving in the capacity of Yearbook Advisor and technology specialist. Later, he attended Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) focusing on Print Production and Design, where he excelled in his program and was given numerous opportunities to participate in internships across varying fields of study. During his time at RIT, Ryan developed lifelong friendships, and is remembered by his college friends as “creative and courageous, with a great sense of humor.”
Ryan’s experience at RIT led him to New York City, where he worked as an independent contractor for 10 years. He was a seasoned print designer and producer, specializing in creating high-end print pieces for the luxury real estate market. Ryan was well-respected by his colleagues and made numerous friendships, creating a “New York family” in his home away from home.
Ryan was an avid world traveler for both work and leisure. He had a zest for life that showed in his pictures of faraway places, where he enjoyed every part of experiencing new cultures: scenery, art, music, and cuisine. Some of his travels included: Argentina, China, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Israel, Canada, Turkey, Caribbean Islands, and numerous countries across Europe.
His friends and family, who were blessed with his loyalty, his kindness, and his generosity, will dearly miss Ryan. He loved being an uncle, and is remembered as a supportive brother and a loving son. It is his family’s hope that although he is no longer with us, his generous, caring spirit will live on in the establishment of the Ryan P. Nelson Memorial Fund.
In addition to his mother, Ryan is survived by one brother: Erick Nelson and his wife, Nicole; two sisters: Kristin Nelson and Kelly Lamb and her husband, Steve; two nephews: Calvin and Wyatt Nelson, and one niece, Emma Lamb. He was the paternal grandson of the late Charles and Josephine (Sullivan) Nelson and the maternal grandson of the late Joseph and Irene (Ribeiro) Romano. He was the nephew of Judie and Eddie McDonough and Charlie and Joan Nelson. Ryan also leaves behind cousins including Kirk and Aileen McDonough and their children Shane and Cate, Tracy McDonough, Jennifer (Nelson) and Tony Saragnese, and Jeffrey Nelson.
Ryan’s funeral will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014, at 9:45 a.m. from Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Road, Warwick, at 11:00 a.m. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Kindly omit flowers.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Ryan P. Nelson Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 635, West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893 (established for the benefit of causes close to his heart). Online remembrances may be offered at carpenterjenks.com.
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