Ryan Marc Ricossa

Ryan passed away on May 23, 2025, at the age of 37 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He leaves behind a devoted wife, Emily, and their beloved daughter, Mia. He is also survived by his brother, Aaron, his mother, Barbara, and his father, Paul.

Born on December 30, 1987, Ryan lived a joyful small-town life in Cotati, California. Whether it was wiffle ball and basketball in the street or Marco Polo in the pool, his childhood was filled with spirited competition and sports. When he was just 13, he and his family set off on a year long trip across North America in an RV, likely implanting a lifelong desire to travel.

After high school, that desire sent him south where he attended San Diego State, and met the love of his life, Emily. The two immediately expanded their horizons, moving to New York for their masters before continuing on to live in New Mexico, Green Bay, and finally settling down in Oxnard.

The traveling didn't stop there, he and Emily began visiting as many Four Seasons as they could, always remembering to grab their daughter, Mia, a stuffed animal from each location. With a passion for chasing the unforgettable, though sometimes miserable, they braved the crowds of New Years Eve in Times Square, where he proudly made it on TV. Whether it was the Fourth of July hot dog eating competition at Coney Island with Emily, concerts and six flags with friends and family, or Disneyland with Mia, Ryan made the most of every moment, creating memories for us all. One of which was his desire to always chase the next level of buffalo wing heat, indulging in not only burning his own mouth but anyone's who would join him.

As a true sports enthusiast, Ryan worked for the New York Jets, the San Diego Padres, and Parks & Rec, where he planned and scheduled all the local sporting events in Farmington, New Mexico. Whether it was baseball, basketball, football or whatever else he could find, he never passed on a good sports bet, continuing that passion until the very end. Though he wasn't able to complete his plan to visit every professional baseball team's stadium, the number of stadiums, both baseball and not, he did make it to, was impressive.

Though Ryan may have had a passion for everything from sports to tormenting his intestines with the spiciest hot sauces he could find, his true love and passion was being a husband and father. Despite switching from teasing his brother to teasing his wife, he couldn't have loved her any more. She was everything to him and he beamed with pride at just how truly wonderful of a mother she is. Mia immediately became the joy of his life and no man has ever been a more patient, caring, and fun father. Working from home gave Ryan and Mia countless hours of roughhousing, trips to the park, and episodes of Bluey cuddled together on the couch.

He will be remembered as a loving husband who put everything he had into being a wonderful father. He’ll be remembered as the kid who would jump into the freezing pool in the middle of winter for a buck. He’ll be remembered for the countless hats and for being a diehard Giants fan who fell for a diehard Dodgers fan. But most of all, he’ll be remembered as the son, brother, friend, husband, and father that we all needed and loved until the very end.

It may have been a life cut far too short, but Ryan lived a good life, one full of joy, laughter, and love. His life will be remembered and celebrated by the friends who miss him dearly and by the family that will love him always. To Ryan, who looks down upon us now: you will always be missed, you will always be loved, and you will always be remembered for the wonderful man you were.

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