The Ellenville community is grieving the loss of Ryan Conklin, an 18-year-old graduate of Ellenville Central School’s Class of 2026, who died recently in what family friends have described as an accident.
News of his passing has spread quickly across local social media, with dozens of former coaches, teammates, family friends and neighbors sharing memories and offering condolences.
The Ellenville Youth Football League, known locally as EYFL, announced the news in a heartfelt post, calling Ryan “one of our own.” According to the league, Ryan began playing youth football back in 2017 and stayed with the program through his years in modified football.
Coach Darrial Kouhout, who coached Ryan at the modified level, remembered him as a smart, aggressive, and fast player who was also respectful, dedicated, and easy to coach.
The league said Ryan was the kind of player every coach hopes to have on their team, always carrying a smile no matter the situation. In their tribute, the EYFL said Ryan would never be forgotten, honoring him by his jersey number, 38.
Friends, Coaches, and Neighbors Share Memories
Tributes poured in from people who knew Ryan through different chapters of his life. Ryan Meres, who, along with his wife Amanda Meres, coached Ryan during his Little League years, shared that his wife had passed away in May and that he had been gathering old photos, a detail that added another layer of grief to the outpouring of comments.
Mike Sarno recalled that Ryan was an amazing kid who often volunteered to help coach younger players, saying his impact on those children was immense.
Others remembered him from childhood. Josephine Stickles Alequin, who said she babysat Ryan for years, wrote that she was shocked and heartbroken to learn of his accident, describing him as one of the sweetest, kindest, and most respectful young men she had known.
Longtime family friends Colleen Strik and Michelle Neville also shared condolences, with Neville recalling watching her own children grow up playing alongside Ryan for years and praising his talent and kindness.
Comments from people like Gabby Quick and John Horl reflected the personal bonds many in the community felt with him, with simple but heartfelt messages expressing how much he will be missed.
Local Business Steps Up to Support the Family
Beyond the outpouring of memories, the Ellenville community has also moved to offer practical support. Il Paradiso Restaurant announced that owners Alan and Michelle, along with their staff, are collecting donations for the Conklin family.
The restaurant said anyone interested in contributing can stop in and speak with staff members directly. In their statement, the restaurant described Ryan as a great kid with a bright future, noting that he had hoped to join the military after graduation to serve and protect the country.
As tributes continue to circulate online, the message from across Ellenville has remained consistent: Ryan Conklin will be remembered for his kindness, his dedication to others, and the impact he had on everyone who crossed his path. The community has extended its deepest sympathy to his family during this difficult time.
