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Ryan C. Rhinesmith died in the crash on Friday, Nov. 3, his obituary says.
Born in Pequannock, Ryan was raised in Lincoln Park and Brick Town, spending time in Montville before settling in Sussex County about 15 years ago.
He worked as a groundsman for Wyatt & Son Tree Service in West Milford and loved to spend time in the great outdoors with activities like four-wheeling and fishing.
Ryan was a member of Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Franklin and was incredibly passionate about his family.
Ryan was predeceased by his two brothers, Ricky and Billy Rhinesmith. He leaves behind his loving fiancé, Melissa Kurth; his son, Ricky Rhinesmith; his step-daughter, Andrina Kapetanakis; his mother, Lynn (Wyatt) Rhinesmith and her husband Philip Congleton; his father, William D. Rhinesmith; his sisters, Amanda Klein and her husband Ryan, and Linda Bacchiocchi and her husband Dominick, as well as many extended family members and close friends.
Meanwhile, support for Ryan’s family has surged in the wake of his passing. A GoFundMe had garnered more than $4,000 in donations as of Tuesday, Nov. 7 and was quickly picking up traction on social media alongside heartfelt tributes:
Funds were being used to offset funeral costs and provide support for Ryan's son, Ricky, who will be two years old in February.
“Ryan was always there for all his friends and family,” reads the fundraiser. “Ryan was a true warrior. He overcame many difficult challenges in his life, including the loss of two older brothers. But through it all, his faith never wavered and his love for life and others continued to shine.”
Ryan’s memorial was scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Pinkel Funeral Home in Sussex.
“Ryan would glow while talking about his beautiful family,” reads the fundraiser. “Anyone blessed enough to know Ryan knows that family was everything to him and he would do anything for them.”
Click here to view/donate on GoFundMe.
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