Remembering Ryan: Loved ones gather to mourn death of Macomb freshman killed in hit and run
The Tsatsos family is beloved in their community.
That was made evident at Macomb freshman Ryan Tsatsos' viewing on Wednesday, where a line to talk to his parents reached around an entire room at Wujek-Calcaterra and Sons funeral home.
Tsatsos was killed in a hit and run this weekend. Though police are investigating leads, his killer has not been found.
Tsatsos was 17 years old, walking home with friends from a Halloween party. He lived a typical college life, and was known for being outspoken and kind.
Weeks before Tsatsos was set to leave for his freshman year at Central Michigan University, his older brother Darryl was killed in a car crash after fleeing police. Darryl's death is still under investigation.
Tsatsos' father, Paul, said this was why he would drive nearly three hours once a week to visit his son at CMU. Though far away, Tsatsos wanted a career in criminal justice or athletic training, and his dad said he fell in love with CMU's campus.
"I used to come up in the middle of the week and have lunch with him," Paul said. "He would come home a lot just because he was missing his brother. Transitioning to college is emotional enough to begin with."
While the transition was challenging, Paul said when he called Tsatsos' residence hall director in Merrill Hall, he was told something unexpected.
"I was really worried about him adjusting," Paul said. "I wanted to make sure (Ryan's residence hall director) kept an eye out, so he pulled out Ryan's files. He said it was interesting I called because Ryan's residence adviser was raving about him. He said he was having a very positive impact on the hall, loved everyone and always wanted to make friends."
Surrounded by momentos of Tsatsos, family and friends filled the room at his viewing with love. They shared laughs and tears. There were countless photos of Tsatsos and his many friends, his high school football jersey that he won a high school state championship in and letters he wrote his parents just before heading off to college.
Tsatsos wrote to his parents, thanking them for helping him succeed in life and supporting him through the loss of his brother.
"It's time I take everything you taught me and put it to use," Tsatsos wrote in a letter to his mom, Julie. "To make something good out of my life. I promise you."
His family and friends agree Tsatsos fulfilled his promise and made something good out of his life, though it was suddenly cut short.
"Everyone who knew him loved him," said Tsatsos' grandmother Constance Onderik. "Every time he would go back to school, he would give me a kiss and a hug. I scold my husband who passed six years ago. He was supposed to help me through this."
Tsatsos had a very close-knit group of friends throughout high school, though was never hesitant to welcome others into his social circle.
Christopher Venditti, one of his best friends, said Tsatsos was an avid weight-lifter, who was at the gym every day.
The two would often do that together, but had a special bond because Christopher lost a friend to suicide right before Tsatsos' brother passed away.
"There was one night we went to his dorm and just talked all night," he said. "He had a hard time, so I would call him every night just to laugh. My jokes might not have been funny, but I could make him laugh more than anyone."
Dozens of flowers surrounded those at his viewing, from everyone Tsatsos knew, from his Merrill Hall community to the De La Salle athletic program. His mother Julie is a teacher at St. Lawrence School, and students in her class wrote messages of hope and healing to her.
"The support has been tremendous here," Julie said. "From St. Lawrence, De La Salle — the principal and our priest have been amazing. We haven't been alone this whole time."
Tsatsos' best friend and college roommate, Jeff Daian said he and Tsatsos looked forward to attending CMU, and planned on completing their college journeys together. The two did everything together, from playing sports, eating at their residence hall and going out.
"He made me happy," he said. "I could tell him everything."
Since the day their oldest son passed away, the Tsatsos family has had the support of their hometown. With the death of Tsatsos, that support has expanded across Michigan. A Go Fund Me campaign started in Tsatsos' name has raised nearly $40,000.
"I don't get speechless very often," Tsatsos' father said. "Seeing things people are writing and donating — people who don't even know us. It's awe-inspiring."
On social media, more than 60,000 posts mentioned Tsatsos, most expressing what kind of person he was, and how greatly he will be missed.
The Tsatsos family said a source of comfort during this time is that their son was strong in his faith, until the very end.
"The night before the accident, Ryan was with a friend who was so close to his brother. She was upset," Paul said. "It was Ryan who was comforting her. He told her, 'You have to have faith, because God has a plan.'"
"As a parent, as a Christian, I can't ask for more than to know my son felt that way. That was just the person he was."
