Rayce was born May 4, 2000. Rayce loved life and lived it to the fullest. From karate, to hockey, gymnastics and finally finding his passion, music. While in high school, he was able to touch us all through his performances with Executive Session, marching band, musicals and dance. He always seemed to shine on stage.
Rayce continued to amaze and inspire us with his courage, resilience, strength and determination while battling Aplastic Anemia. Even through this difficult time his smile would light up the room, his smile and his sense of humor never wavered. He was a rare soul, wise beyond his years, loved to read and preferred physical books to Kindle’s and would read a 500 page book in a day. Rayce was known to listen to Imagine Dragons Pandora radio station or play Dungeons and Dragons on occasion, maybe more. While in the hospital the nurses always loved coming into his room just to listen to the music and chat with him.
He had a heart of gold and loved his family and friends deeply, and left his mark on all who were fortunate to know him. Rayce and his sisters were the three amigos for most of their life. They rarely fought; well the girls are a different story. He was such an amazing big brother to them their whole lives, he would have done anything for them. Except share his food with them. He loved them more than they ever knew and loved spending time with them. He also loved to spend time with his girlfriend Alyssa (Cute Nerd). She was his other half and stuck by him through everything. He loved her so much. How do you sum a life in a few phrases? Especially a life that proved to everyone it touched why this life was worth existing? I know you can sum up that untouchable, incredible, ineffable concept in one word: Rayce.
People say a lot of things when you lose a soul. Brave, kind, full of love, amazing, talented, funny, calming, incredible. In the case of Rayce, the remarkable thing, the truly remarkable thing, is that he truly, actually was all of those things.
Quite literally an angel.
Life isn’t easy, it’s hard. And it’s hard on so many people, and we don’t always realize how hard it is for everyone else. How much pain, struggle and disconnect we all have. The main thing Rayce has taught us is that the pain, hardship and struggle can never get in the way of love. Love cures every wound we have and he had it in droves. And he knew it would bring everyone together, that’s why he was a gift to us all.
Rayce made an impact on everyone he met. He was one of a kind. His smile lit up any room he walked into. He had the most amazing hugs that made you forget all of your worries. He changed people; he was a true example of someone everyone hopes they could be. In his short 18 years he left his mark on the world. He left his mark on so many people and anyone who had the privilege of meeting him will be forever changed. Fly high Rayce, Those we love do not go away, they walk beside us forever.
Gone but NEVER Forgotten
6/14/2018