THOMASTON and OWLS HEAD — On Sunday, January 6, 2019, we lost our beloved Ryan Gamage to a long and hard-fought battle with addiction. He was just 32 years old.

For several years, especially the last four, Ryan worked so hard to overcome the strong bond he had come to love with his relationship with drugs. He truly wanted nothing more than to be a better man, a good partner, a supportive son, a loving brother, a good role model to his children, and a productive member of society.  

For those who knew him and accepted him as he was, there is a void in the lives of those people that simply will never be replaced.

Addiction took many things from Ryan over the years, but never his love of family. Ryan was blessed with a family that accepted his faults, no matter what, and had an unconditional love for him, a love that few like him can say they had. He truly only ever wanted his family to love him, and love him they did. Even on his very worst days, if a family member needed him, he did everything he could to not let them down. His countless friends were blessed with that same dedication.

Ryan was an extremely hard worker, starting his own business in 2016 after the birth of his daughter Rayni. ‘Rayni Daze Handyman Services’ began and Ryan used his great sense of humor, red-neck nature and knack for advertising to write some of the funniest, most catchy ads for his business. His family said he could sell anything to anybody!

He had a great appreciation for music and was always singing. He loved karaoke and making playlists, always finding just the right song for the moment. He often used music and songs to express his emotions in a way he just couldn’t do on his own.  

At the early age of 16, and without the permission of his mother, Ryan joined his first demolition derby; from then on, he was hooked! Each year he has participated in the Union Fair Derby and this past year even had the pleasure of competing against his son. Despite telling his son he’d never be able to beat him, Ryan was never prouder then when his own car was done, and he was able to watch his son continue on for the win. He had a love of cars and anything mechanical. From a young age he was always taking his toys apart and eventually became an ASE Certified Mechanic.

Ryan was stubborn in all things, and in the words of his uncle John, ‘He is watching over each of us just as stubbornly as he worked, lived and loved!’

Ryan is survived by his mother and dad, Patricia ‘Patty’ and Charles Nickles; his father William ‘Bill’ Gamage and his wife Andrea of Waldoboro; the love of his life and best friend Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Thompson and her sons whom he loved like his own, John, Jacob and Jayden Thompson, all of Thomaston; his two beloved daughters, Angel Freeman of Rockland and Rayni Gamage of Thomaston; his brothers, Corey Nickles and his partner Amy Daniel of Owls Head, Tyler Nickles of Rockland, Joseph Gamage of Union; his sister Shaydlyn Cocco and her husband Jarin of Owls Head; his paternal grandfather Norman Gamage, Sr. of Owls Head; his maternal grandmother Molly Leigher of Rockland; two nieces, three nephews; and a large loving extended family, including his NA family who meant so much to him.  

Ryan was predeceased by his paternal grandmother Virginia Gamage and his maternal grandfather Frank Leigher.

Ryan’s family would like to reach out to anyone struggling with addiction and offer our love and support. You are not alone, and if one life is saved in Ryan’s memory our loss becomes less painful. Please find one of us. We will help in any way we can.

A celebration of Ryan’s life will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, at the Thomaston American Legion Hall, Star Street Thomaston. All are encouraged to bring their favorite dish to share.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ‘Recovering You’ a fund started in Ryan’s memory to help with the financial burden of those seeking recovery. Checks may be made to Recovering You and sent to Machias Savings Bank, 3 Glen Street, Rockland, Maine 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with Ryan’s family, visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.  

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.