Ryan Christian Van Zandt

Ryan Christian Van Zandt, age 25, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 21, 2016, following a courageous battle with uveal melanoma, a rare form of cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Born in Bridgeport, Ryan had been a lifelong Fairfield resident. He was a graduate of Fairfield Ludlowe High School, where he was a member of the Wrestling and Golf teams. Ryan attended Arizona State University, and after moving back to Fairfield, he graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelors Degree in Business. He was employed by Media Storm in Norwalk, an advertising and marketing company, and he was recently promoted to Strategic Planner. Throughout high school and during college summers, Ryan worked at Sunny Daes Ice Cream in Fairfield. He loved body building and golf. Ryan was a true warrior who fought his disease with strength and dignity. Following his diagnosis, he devoted himself to helping others with cancer. He was chosen to be the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for CancerCare of Connecticut at the Country Club of Fairfield and his inspirational speech was instrumental in the raising of over $325, 000.00 in one night. Ryan never gave up and he was still walking and eating until the day before he crossed over. He will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends who adored him. Survivors include his beloved parents, Lorette Gaboury-Massa and Richard J. Massa of Fairfield; a devoted brother, Robert Colin Van Zandt of Fairfield; his grandmother, Annette Gaboury of Bridgeport, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Lauren Lee Van Zandt and his grandfather, Robert W. Gaboury. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Ryan's life will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Rd., Fairfield. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ryan's memory may be made to CancerCare of CT, 111 East Ave., Suite 207, Norwalk, CT 06851 or the Susan Fund, 8 Hilly Field Lane, Westport, CT 06880. For information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com.