GALLANT, Ryan

April 15, 1984 — July 25, 2024

There are no words to express the depth of loss from the passing of Ryan Gallant on July 25, 2024, as we are heartbroken.

Ryan was born in Surrey, BC, where he was raised with his older sister Jenn, by his loving parents, Kathy and Gene Gallant.  At the age of nine months, Ryan was walking and running.  His family moved to Kelowna, BC in 1991 when he was 7 years old.

Growing up, Ryan started playing t-ball in Surrey and developed an extreme fondness for the sport of baseball; the field became his happy place.  His love for baseball continued after his family moved to Kelowna, and he enjoyed many baseball tournaments. The connections he created with his ball family would continue throughout his life.  Ryan also enjoyed basketball, volleyball, snowboarding, fishing, and swimming. He loved trying new activities, including Beavers and Cubs where he attended many outings.  There were many camping trips with cousins, family get-togethers with his grandparents in Langley, ferry rides to Vancouver Island to visit his Nana and Uncle Brian, and family trips to Disneyland.

In school, Ryan learned to play the saxophone in the concert & jazz bands and together with his sister, who played flute, and his parents, they did an exchange trip with German students. In March 2000, Ryan and his family had the opportunity to travel to Germany with the concert band and perform at Otto-Hahn Schule (school) in Frankfurt and Erich-Kastner Schule (school) in Hanau. During this trip, the concert band had the opportunity to travel through Switzerland, France, and Italy, which sparked Ryan’s passion for travel. Ryan also learned to play the piano and excelled at that as well.

In 2012, Ryan met Nicki Baker, the love and light of his life. Nicki and Ryan connected while Ryan patiently taught Nicki how to play baseball (Nicki loved watching Ryan play as he was in his element). Ryan loved being outside whether it was mountain biking, hiking or camping and shared these passions with Nicki, building many amazing memories.

Ryan and Nicki went on to have two beautiful children, Ayla and Kaia. Ryan’s devotion to his family and undeniable love was shown to them every day. Whether it was telling Nicki how much he loved her, making Nicki her morning coffee, and playing silly games with the girls. Ryan showed up and did anything and everything for his family; they just loved him so much.

Ryan was loved by so many people who he connected with throughout his life, creating everlasting memories. He was a huge presence that can never be replaced.  Ryan was an incredible husband (Nicki), father (Ayla and Kaia), son (Kathy and Gene), brother (Jenn), brother-in-law (Jason, Jackie, Brett), uncle (Chloe and Carson), and son-in-law (Terry and Rick) and his memory will forever be cherished.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice that supports men’s mental health.  Our wish is that this devastating loss will support others to have open conversations about mental health.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 1:00 PM (PST), at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.

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