Obituary

On the morning of Friday, February 10, 2023, Ryan Robert Reid went home to be with our Heavenly Father after an arduous 3.5 year battle with Ewings sarcoma. He was twenty-nine years old.

Ryan was surrounded by his wife, their puppy, his family, his closest friends, and the view of the peaceful ocean at his family home in Capistrano Beach, California.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie Abigail Bacani Reid; his parents, Stephen and Karen Reid; his sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew—Lindsey, Michael, Chloe and Owen Aldwell; his family in-law—The Bacani-Lucas Family; his extended family; and his close-knit group of childhood friends.

Ryan Robert Reid joyously entered the world on Tuesday, September 21, 1993 at Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo as a great 8-pound-6 ounce bundle of joy. He attended Mission Parish school in San Juan Capistrano from Preschool-8th Grade, and graduated high school at JSerra Catholic High School in 2012. He proudly followed his father and sister’s footsteps in attending USC (Go Trojans), majoring in Economics in 2017. 

Jack of all trades and master of all, Ryan humbly flourished in many talents and hobbies. His angelic voice and beautiful guitar-playing talent had everyone listen in mesmerization. He loved the exhilaration carving down double black-diamond runs on his snowboard in Sun Valley, Idaho. He achieved the revered Eagle Scout rank, the highest honor of Boy Scouts of America. He was chosen to throw the First Pitch at the San Diego Padres game. He was one with the ocean, expertly balancing atop his paddleboard in his backyard. He would consistently impress others with his powerful swings on the golf course. He loved being in the kitchen, creating impressively delicious meals for the ones he loved. He thrived at his workplace as a Microsoft Excel mastermind and genius. He was the dependable, attentive, empathetic man you leaned on—always putting others before himself, and providing the exact words you needed to hear to feel comforted yet enlightened.

A lover of exquisite food, craft coffee, daily Equinox-gym sessions, and a ‘non-discriminatory wine drinker’, Ryan covertly took pleasure in the finer things in life. He took pride in maintaining his signature coiffed hair and self-declared himself a man of good taste, indulging in refined articles of clothing. A proud USC alumnus and ardent football fan, Ryan passionately watched every USC football game and actively engaged in his Fantasy Football league. His favorite places to visit was where he developed his fondest childhood memories: Sun Valley and the Mauna Kea in Kilo, Hawaii. Ryan’s safe haven was anywhere outdoors where he could explore the terrain of nature’s beauty. He loved music and could rap to every (old school) Drake song, and was a devoted fan of The 1975.

A son of extraordinary parents with an astute background in finance and real estate, Ryan quickly acquired an analytical and tactical mindset. He developed a deep fascination in financial real estate, establishing his distinguished career in commercial real estate as a Financial Analyst at Wells Fargo. Shortly after, he became a powerful asset for The Irvine Company as a Senior Financial Analyst, where he was later promoted to Manager of Finance and Investments. He was the epitome of a brilliant, positive, and loyal team-player, consistently giving 110% dedication to all of his projects and deliverables.

Ryan immensely looked up to his loving parents and fondly viewed them as his greatest role models. They instilled all of the immeasurable traits we eminently revere in Ryan. He always took the advice of his parents in highest regard, and made sure every decision he made would make his parents proud. Ryan unceasingly strived to emulate their kind and generous hearts, inspirational work-ethic and success, and frequently told Leslie he aspires to provide a life to their future children that is reflective of the life his parents lovingly provided to him and his sister.

Ryan met the love of his life, Leslie, while she was studying optometry school in Orange County on March 2019. After their first date at Water Grill in Costa Mesa, they both inadvertently fell in love—and in their hearts, already knew they met each other’s soulmate. Since then, their commitment to each other went full-steam into a blossoming and heartwarming love story. The truest gentleman and romantic at heart, Ryan constantly curated sweet acts of love for his dear Leslie. He eagerly planned charming dates to show her his favorite places he grew up in south Orange County, making sure every date included the sunset overlooking the ocean. Ryan was known to surprise Leslie with the most beautiful flower arrangements, and showered her with a collection of love notes filled with poetically sweet sentiments throughout the years.

On October 10, 2021, Ryan and Leslie exchanged their Forevers amidst the peaceful southwest canyons at Amangiri. Their intimate wedding ceremony was everything they hoped it would be: tenderly sublime, memorable, and magical. They deeply cherished their adventures together as husband and wife, and on March 2022, Pooka Reid—their spunky and lovable shitzu daughter—joined their happy little family of 3.

Despite Ryan’s sarcoma diagnosis in September 2019, 2019-2023 were undoubtedly Ryan’s most blissful and cherished years with Leslie by his side. Ryan and Leslie simply relished doing life together. They share a rare and inconceivable love that is experienced only once in a lifetime, and lovingly admired by all who know them. Ryan’s favorite title was being Leslie’s Husband, and the last song he emotionally sang to her was ‘Die a Happy Man’.

During one of Ryan and Leslie’s last intimate conversations together, it was decided that “Swallows always return home”. Ryan wished to return back to his original home in San Juan Capistrano to the church he played worship music and grew up in as a child. 

Ryan’s memorial ceremony will be held at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano on Friday, February 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM (31520 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675). A reception celebrating the beautiful life of Ryan will follow after the ceremony at Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano until 2:00 PM (26907 Old Mission Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675). Ryan will be laid to rest at a private interment with his immediate family at Pacific View, where he will await Leslie to join him again one day.

In lieu of flowers sent for Ryan’s ceremony, we graciously ask to provide a donation to the Little Warrior Foundation in honor of Ryan’s name.
Little Warrior Foundation is very dear to our hearts, as they are dedicated to finding a cure for Ewings Sarcoma—a rare pediatric and young adult cancer.
https://givebutter.com/ryanreid

“Life is a journey, there will be curveballs. Take a step back and be thankful for the little things and the people around you.” —Ryan Robert Reid, 09/21/20

To forever honor and embody Ryan’s life,
let us choose to live with:
utmost kindness,
everlasting love,
relentless strength,
selfless graciousness,
radiating positivity,
and a deep-rooted faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. 

We love you so much our dearest Ryan.
Proverbs 16:7  Jeremiah 17:14