Ryan J. Cook

RYAN J. COOK, age 22; of Middleburg Heights. Passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 3, 2020; beloved son of Jim and Laura (nee Majeski); loving brother and best friend of Alex; dearest grandson of Blaine and the late Barbara Majeski, James and Mimi (nee Bostwick); nephew of Lisa Marella (Bob), Blaine “Butch” Majeski, Lynn Majeski, Layne Cook, Kerry Cook and Chris Cook (Donna); beloved cousin and dear friend of many. Private family services. A Celebration of Ryan’s Life will be announced.

In Loving Memory of Our Son Ryan

Our son Ryan passed away Sunday 05/03/2020 at the age of 22. He was a wonderful, loving, intelligent and personable person, but was also a troubled young man. He fell victim to the opioid epidemic. The system failed him, as it seems to do way too often, and the Demons won.

Ryan started off as a chubby little guy and he quickly developed a passion for baseball. That chubby kid worked relentlessly to develop into a stud athlete and became one of the most dominant pitchers in NE Ohio travel baseball. But, a 2 ^nd serious knee injury (neither a result of baseball), took its toll on him. His physical skills were diminished and the meds given to him after surgery created a love/hate relationship with the opioids that eventually took his life.

Ryan loved to hike and camp; had really gotten into cooking lately and loved helping with our large vegetable garden. And, he was also a huge dog-lover. When our family dog of 12-years passed away in January, he showed me a picture of Ember, a Corso/Boxer mix at the City of Cleveland Animal Control Kennel, aka City Dogs. It didn’t matter that she had heartworm and no socialization. “We can save her, Dad” he said. I couldn’t say no and he and Emmy became best friends, which they both needed so much. Now, Emmy is our lasting memory of Ryan.

We are going to miss his sense of humor; his insightful opinions on world events; his expertise in certain areas; the way he’d say “mom” to Laura; seeing him working in the garden with his mom, Laura and brother, Alex. I’m going to miss throwing the baseball with him. I’m going to miss sitting on the deck or in the sunroom listening to baseball games with him and talking about his baseball accomplishments and baseball in general. Most of all, I’m going to miss putting my arms around him, kissing him on the head and telling him how much I love him and how I have complete confidence in him. (something I did several times a day). A part of me died with him. I will never be the same without my Ryan.