Ryan Francis Smith

Ryan Francis Smith was born on January 20, 1987 in Wheeling, W. VA to Suzanne (Lewis) Brown. Ryan fought a hard 16 year long battle with addiction that continuously progressed and sadly came to a fatal end in the early morning hours of Wednesday July 26, 2017 when Concord police received a call reporting a possible drug overdose. Ryan was pronounced dead when the paramedics arrived to yet again, another substance abuse related death. This epidemic is proving yet again, to be another powerful, tragic, heartbreaking disease to all who go about battling it and leaving it untreated. Ryan was an avid music and movie buff, loved all animals, writing, drawing and tattoos. Anyone that knew Ryan would say he was a giant teddy bear, and just another big kid. He enjoyed making people laugh and had a contagious smile that made his eyes shine every time. He was the best uncle a kid could ask for, a gentle son, a protective big brother, loyal to friends, and intelligent beyond words. At the time of his death he chose to be homeless, withdrawn from his family and unwilling to accept any kind of treatment. He leaves behind his mother and step dad, Suzanne & Kevin Brown of Laconia, NH, his sister Kayla Smith, her partner Justin, and her 3 children, Kayden, Brantley & Cecilia, whom he adored all 3 beyond words could explain. He also leaves behind his grandfather Willian F Lewis of Shadyside, OH, and his uncle Robert Lewis of Moundsville, W. VA and his daughter Whitney Lewis. Ryan also leaves behind his cousin Haleigh Lewis of Shadyside, OH, and so many extended family members and friends, far too many to mention who loved him dearly, and will miss him beyond words. He also leaves behind 5 step siblings, Rebekah (Brian) Hinckley and their 4 children of NY, Ashley (Justin) Durand of MA, Sarah (Jason, who was like a brother) Packer and their 3 children of FL, Marissa (TJ) Hood and their daughter of VT, and Thomas Brown of NM. Ryan was preceded in death by his grandmother Rose M Lewis of Shadyside, OH and his "Uncle Bill" William F Lewis II, of Shadyside OH. As each and every day passes we will continuously be left with the one question "Why?" with tears in our eyes. If love could have saved Ryan, he would have lived forever. There will be no services at this time and the family is asking that all memorials and donations be made to the New Hampshire Safe Station: City of Manchester Fire Department 100 Merrimack St. Manchester, NH, 03101 In memory of Ryan F. Smith "I love my friends neither with my heart or with my mind. Just in case heart might stop, mind can forget. I love them with my soul. Soul never stops and never forgets..." -facebook.com/iloveinspirationlionhearteagle.blogspot.com