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The Daily OrangeSU alumnus, accomplished drummer found dead at 23
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Posted: 6/5/07, 10:52 PM EST Section: News
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An obituary, prepared by Pike's family and the Murphy Funeral Home in Salem, Mass.
John Ryan Pike
John Ryan Pike, age 23, beloved son of John L. and Paula (Brophy) Pike of South Hamilton, Mass., longtime boyfriend of Mary Falkenstern of Norwood, N.J., died Sunday afternoon in Fairhaven, Mass.
Born in Salem, Mass., he was raised and educated in South Hamilton with family at the center of his life. An accomplished athlete, he graduated from Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School as class president in the Class of 2002.
He then entered Syracuse University, where he continued his education and life with a passion in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He became a news writer and an-air personality for WAER Jazz 88, as well as a DJ, spot writer and jazz director for WERW 1570, both in Syracuse, N.Y. An inductee of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, The Golden Key International Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, John appeared on the Dean's List from 2002 to 2006. He was also a New England Mechanical Contractors Merit Scholar.
In 2006, he graduated magna cum laude from the Newhouse School with a Bachelor of Arts degree and continued to follow his love of music. As a drummer, he was an original member and lyricist, helping to form the nationally and internationally acclaimed RA RA RIOT Band. The band released its first EP in March and was recently written up in both Rolling Stone and Billboard Magazine. John was very proud of the band and its accomplishments.
To his family and friends, he was the music of their lives. John Ryan was of scrupulous and honorable character. He never met a cold heart that he could not warm. He was a kind person that nobody thought existed; he was sincere, genuine, kind, honest, generous and forgiving. He had no enemies, simply a loveable disposition that made its way into the hearts of many. There is no way to measure all the lives that were touched by the light and the love in his heart.
He was a dedicated student, a loyal friend and a flamboyant storyteller. He had the gifts of humor, intelligence and an amazingly natural talent for music. When John was around you could always be assured of sidesplitting laughter to the soundtrack of his drumming hands on any nearby surface. He lived his dream and everyone around him beamed with joy and pride, and he established himself as a respected musician.
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