Ryan “Gouch” Goulet

Once in awhile a “good guy” comes along in life.  Good guys never cease to amaze you.  They go the extra mile.  They make you feel good when you are around them.  They start off as great sons and as life goes on, they become great husbands and awesome fathers.  Life is just better when they are around.  If you are fortunate enough in life to know a good guy, it’s a blessing.  To become a part of his family, is an honour.

On October 12, 1972 a “good guy” was born to Paula (Vinall) & Bob Goulet.  They named him Ryan which was his grandmother’s last name growing up.  Ryan loved life.  He loved the outdoors and he loved sports, especially baseball and hockey.  He was a great goalie, gaining many friends in life who would eventually bestow him with the nickname “Gouch”.

In a moment that was meant to be, Ryan met a young lady by the name of Margaret Vicary and on September 22, 2001 they embarked upon a journey as husband and wife.  Two years later they had their first child; a daughter who they named Leah.  She instantly became the apple of her dad’s eye.  Two years after that, they welcomed their second child; a son Andrew Ryan, another one of those “good guys” who has been bestowed the nickname “Gouch Jr”.  Ryan was an awesome and committed dad who could always be found at his children’s sports events, be it in the capacity of a spectator or a coach.  He was relentless in making sure that they were safe and that they knew that they were loved.  Despite his diagnosis with A.L.S. and his physical limitations, Ryan made sure that he toured Leah’s future home at Brock University so that he could rest knowing that she would be okay.

Ryan was a long-time employee of Russell Tool & Die in Chatham and will be missed by his second family there.  He was looking forward to his eventual retirement from the company when he would be able to spend long leisurely days again with the young lady who he fell in love with so many years ago.

It is said that when you give kindness from your heart, it comes back to you tenfold.  And so it would be with the friends that Ryan made along his journey in life.  The last few months were nothing less than spectacular.  Ryan’s friends surrounded him with love and support and they never backed off.  They would pick him up and take him out for an afternoon.  They would make him smile and let him forget the world for even just a moment.  Despite his challenges with A.L.S., Ryan in turn would teach his friends one final lesson…that regardless of how bad your days may be, smile.  Always smile.  Have a smile ready even though sometimes it hurts.  Grab all the happiness you can, wherever and whenever you can.  Don’t let even a wee bit slip past you.  Live, above all things, live.  Don’t simply exist.  If you are blessed enough to know what real love is, love with all your heart, soul and body.  Live your life so that at any hour you will be able to shake hands with yourself.  Then when your nights come, you will be able to pull up the covers and say to yourself “I have done my best”.

Ryan’s family will remember him privately at this time.  Thank you to everyone who has been a part of his incredible journey.  Remember to hug your children every chance you get and tell them you love them.

Family and friends who wish to honour him with a memorial donation are asked to consider the A.L.S. Society of (Windsor) Essex County www.alswindsor.ca since their involvement and assistance to the family was humbling.