Obituary of Ryan C. Henderson

Ryan C. Henderson, age 35 of Lewiston, died tragically on Wednesday January 26, 2011 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Lewiston. Ryan was born on Father's Day, June 15, 1975 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of Timothy and Rebecca (Sattora) Henderson of Lewiston. He was born 3 months prematurely and left this world the same way. As a child he had a stuttering problem and was not happy with the lack of progress he got with professional speech therapists so he sent for a mail order tape and taught himself to sing, eventually becoming the lead singer in the rock band, Middleman. Ryan was also afflicted with severe asthma. To build up his lungs, he started running and was running up to 9 miles a day. He was currently training for a marathon. Ryan was a 1993 graduate of Lewiston Porter High School. Because he was able to overcome his own life's challenges, Ryan was drawn to helping others. He became a Site Manager at Rivershore, Inc. working with developmentally challenged adults. For the past 11 years he has worked at a group home in Cambria. He will be deeply missed by those that he helped on a daily basis. Ryan epitomized the saying that "it wasn't the years of our life but rather the life in our years". Ryan leaves behind his parents Timothy and Rebecca Henderson; a sister, Kristen Henderson of Niagara Falls; his grandparents, Maron and Ann Gampp of Slidell, LA; an uncle, Chris (Marsha) Henderson; an aunt, Cathie (Daryl) Solomonson; his adoring nephews, Charles Leon, III, and Daniel Henderson; and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Mayer. He was predeceased by grandparents, John and Patricia Henderson. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston on Sunday, January 30, from 2 - 6 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish to remember Ryan in a special way, Memorials may be made to the Old Fort Niagara Association, P.O. Box 0169, Youngstown, NY 14174.