Forrest Ryzy-Ryski
Forrest Wolfe Ryzy-Ryski, 23, of Marietta, Georgia, who grew up in Cold Spring, died Aug. 18, 2017.
Born Dec. 2, 1993, Forrest was the son of Aleta Wolfe of Garrison and Albert Ryzy-Ryski of Cold Spring. He attended The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry for two years and graduated in 2011 from Haldane High School. At the time of his death, Forrest was studying English literature at Kennesaw State University, about 20 miles northwest of Atlanta. A mixed martial-arts fighter, he trained at Stryker Fight Center in Kennesaw.
He also was a gifted musician and artist. While a senior at Haldane, he won first place as an Emerging Artist from the Putnam Arts Council. He also won the Rising Star Award for visual arts at the Haldane Fine Arts Awards and was recognized for his creative writing and songwriting. He was accepted into The Oxbow School in Napa, California, a semester program of studio artmaking and interdisciplinary humanities.
Forrest studied classical guitar from the age of 10 and composed and performed music, and gave lessons to younger students. He also performed his composition, Clearly, at the Haldane High School talent show and joined two classmates in a harmonized version of “Helplessly Hoping,” by Crosby, Stills and Nash.
In addition to his parents and grandmother, he is survived by his sister, Sophia Ryzy-Ryski, of New York City, and his grandmothers Fernanda Ryzy-Ryski of New York and Joy Atteberry of La Quinta, California.
A memorial service is planned for 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Garrison Institute, 882 Route 9D, in Garrison. The service will be followed by a 10-minute walk to Arden Point (Flat Rock) for a visit to Forrest’s favorite place. Please wear comfortable shoes. A reception to follow at the Garrison Institute from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m.
Rest in peace, my sweet nephew Forrest, who I believe tried his hardest to overcome the obstacles in his way.
Forrest was an incredible person who has touched so many lives, including myself. It is an great honor to call him my teammate, friend and brother. I will cherish our conversations and times to my heart. Your light that you shined on so many, we will pass it forward because you were just the same way. I love you bro and I’m missing you. Until I see you on the other side.
Dear Forrest: I have known you through the great love and words of your grandmother, Fernanda, my dear friend. From her I learned your love for music and part of the road you have traveled. I will be here to hold her hand and share the beautiful memories of you.
I held him as a baby, before I moved away, and was glad I met him again a few years ago when I was visiting Cold Spring. My heart goes out to family and friends.
I was introduced to Forrest and shook his hand only once, but I would see him occasionally at holiday festivities at our friends Sonia and Rudolf’s house. Forrest was a bright, charismatic, intellectually open young man. We (my wife, Angie and I) were impressed by how, for a high-schooler, how conversant and at ease he was with adults.
Then there was the solo performance with his guitar of one of his own songs at the Haldane talent show. I won’t forget that riveting and singular moment.
A lifelong painter myself, I’m sorry I didn’t get to see his artwork. Our hearts are with his family and those close to him with hope for healing and a renewed connection with that part of the human experience that is pure, joyful and enriching, and which must have been redeeming, if not counterbalancing for Forrest — and that is the gift we receive from all of the arts.