Ryan S. Shaw

Ryan Scott Shaw, of Wakefield, MA, passed into eternal peace on Monday, May 9, at the age of 18 after contracting bacterial meningitis. Born on May 29, 1997, Ryan was the beloved son of Scott and Joanne (Warchol) Shaw and the very dear brother of Connor and Madison Shaw, who will all miss him immeasurably. He was a member of St. Joseph Parish and attended St. Joseph School in Wakefield. Ryan graduated from St. John's Preparatory High School in Danvers, Class of 2015. He had just completed his first year at Northeastern University in Boston, where he studied Finance. Ryan was an amazing and blessed young man and son who packed more accomplishments into his 18 years than most people do in a lifetime. He was kind and gentle, witty, creative, vibrant, and a visionary. He made lasting friendships in all stages of his rich life and impacted all who came in contact with him in some positive way - friends growing up in Wakefield and Cape Cod and classmates from the Prep, NUin pals and new brothers at Northeastern. He won an Entrepreneur competition and started his own company at age 16, had paintings that won Boston Globe Gold and Silver medals, traveled the country, volunteered helping children with disabilities in Jamaica, and studied last fall in Dublin, Ireland. He was a great student and recently became a brother of Pike fraternity. He cherished his summers on the Cape and loved the beach, cruising on the water, researching exotic cars, snowboarding, basketball, soccer, spike ball and any game that his siblings, cousins and friends wanted to challenge him in. He never refused an invite for a meal with family or friends. But mostly he loved his family where he was an ever present positive light to an incredible big brother he admired; a phenomenal sister he cherished, and was truly "in heaven" spending time with his Mom and Dad. Countless accolades and tributes have been shared by Ryan's friends over the last few days. The family is comforted and proud reading their expressions of what Ryan meant in their lives and takes solace knowing that so many people are helping them through this difficult time despite the reality that life without Ryan will never be the same. Ryan leaves behind his maternal grandmother, Barbara (Lynch) Warchol, predeceased by Ryan's grandfather Richard, of Naples, FL, and his paternal grandparents Donna Brown of Hilton Head Island, SC, Robert Brown of Leominster, MA, and William and Carol Shaw of Bedford, NH. The loss of Ryan will also be deeply felt by his many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. The Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 16th at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield. Visitation will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave, Wakefield on Sunday May 15th from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ryan's memory to The Haven Project, 57 Munroe St., Lynn, MA 01901(havenproject.net) or Mustard Seed Communities, 29 Janes Ave., Medfield, MA 02052 (mustardseed.com). Additionally, a scholarship fund will be established in Ryan's name.