Grateful Dead

Just wanting to share some love here. It's been one year since one of my best friends, Brad Ryan, passed. He was always a brother to me - we have lifelong connections in our family of friends here in Peterborough, Ontario, and elsewhere. One thing we shared was a deep love of the GDead, travel, and deadhead culture, mainly through the music. I remember the memorial last May - 300 people came from near and far to pay tribute and we were blown away. Brad, I know you would have been on tour with us this spring - in fact I feel that you WERE with us every step of the way. Here's a bit of the obituary for any of you who might be interested or in case it rings a bell... Bradley Read Ryan (b.Oct 14, 1976, Collingwood, Ontario - d. Apr 5, 2008, Palm Springs, CA) After a week of suffering from brain injury resulting from a climbing accident, Bradley Ryan died on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 in Palm Springs, CA. Bradley had been climbing in Joshua Tree State Park, Arizona, with friend, Taavo Martin, when Bradley fell and suffered a head injury. After almost a week in hospital, Brad suffered a stroke and lost all brain activity. He was 31 years of age. Bradley was a man of many and varied interests. He was a true connoisseur: quality was his pursuit. He applied this with fervour to many things: music, woodworking, growing food, minerology, sport. He studied African and Latin percussion and instrument-making, saxophone and electric bass, and performed regularly on turntables as DJ Son. Ultimate frisbee, disc golf, climbing, cycling, canoeing and backcountry skiing were among his favourite activities. He loved the Kootenay mountains of British Columbia and found physical and spiritual balance there. Bradley lived his life with conscious intent and showed us that it was possible to live fairly and sustainably. He had an avid interest in mycology and harvested many types of medicinal mushroom. He was a graduate of the Native Studies program at Trent University, and his experience in Pangnirtung, Baffin Island, inspired him to create a fair trade network through which he could sell arctic char, mushrooms and chocolate at the Saturday Farmers’ Market through his own business Sonic Son Foods. He dreamed of buying land in the Sharbot Lake area to grow food, hunt and build a home on. Bradley was highly principled and believed strongly in the power of community. This, above all, was what he lived for. He brought so many of us together in the name of music, food, seasonal celebrations, and sharing in each others’ successes. In his short life, he succeeded in his goal of connecting family and friends across Canada and around the world. A truly brave and bright spirit, Bradley will be sorely missed by those who loved him. He is remembered by his friends and family in Toronto, Peterborough, Phoenix, New Hampshire, Calgary, and Nelson. -------------------------------------- Thanks everyone for sharing your loves, your losses, and may we all grow stronger for having known these fine people. Love, Kirsten

RIP john, we missed you this tour, as we do every your since you left us..... RIP BROTHER

I lost my Mom 5-21-06.Let this family ease my pain as the Dead family has....I Love you Mom Ben

RIP Poodie Locke.....we love ya!!!!!! Gypsy Cowgirl, husband & family http://willienelson.com/news/there-are-no-bad-days/#more-3765

You sound like a very positive, strong woman-My heart goes out to you-- As a family man I know nothing is stronger than Family--LOVE IS REAL....NOT FADE AWAY P.S. Have fun at the shows...I know he would want you to :-) Love,George&Family

May the clear light inside guide you on your journey home;) To my little angel, I rescued you from the shelter just days before death, we traveled many miles and shared many journeys, you were the best rider I ever had. I hope you had a wonderful time in the mountains with the Family, even though I had to go not a day went by that I didn;t think of you. See you on the other side my 4 legged friend.

after reading of yer loss i said an extra prayer at mornin' mass, bobbalee. it's as hard losing a pet as it is family.....hell, they ARE family.....go ahead and dance, man....little fella prolly watchin' ya. suzi q...........if ya close yer eyes at the show and think real hard...i'm sure yer dancin' bear will be right next to you.

Sorry to hear about Barney,our pets are such good friends. Don't know if I'd have made it this far without my dog, God bless you and Barney.

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend Barney.  It sounds like Barney had a great life.  Yes, it was too short - but we should all be so lucky to have a friendship like the one you shared.  I hope you dance again soon - as I'm sure Barney would want you to.  Here's to Barney!

I am so sorry for your loss. As mom to two old and very loved dogs, I can only imagine how awful it is to lose one so young and so suddenly. May you and Barney meet again at the Bridge.