Proulx, Ryan W.

Captain Ryan W. Proulx, age 31, was taken from us in a tragic free diving accident while vacationing in the Bahamas on June 16, 2023 and remains lost at sea. Growing up in Ashford, CT, Ryan came to enjoy many sports including baseball and basketball. Ryan thrived in the outdoors, becoming an avid fisherman and hunter. After finishing Ashford School and E.O. Smith HS, Ryan earned his Associates Degree in Business from Manchester Community College.

Ryan began earning his way as a mate on fishing charters out of Niantic, CT and Point Judith, RI, as well as working for Fed-Ex as a package handler and switcher operator.

Ryan recognized his first dream of becoming a police officer in 2014 for the Monroe, CT Police Dept. In 2017, he transferred to the East Hartford, CT Police Dept. where he was a Field Training Officer and member of the SWAT team.

In 2016, Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Cortney. They enjoyed going on countless adventures together to Jackson, NH, Cape Cod, the Finger Lakes in NY, and the Florida Keys. He taught her so much about fishing, spearfishing, and boating, and he helped her land many "firsts" for almost every species of fish they were seeking. The two sought out special restaurants but also enjoyed nights in with Ryan's tasty dishes and wine. Ryan and Cortney were truly best friends who supported each other and their passions and who wanted each other there for every exciting and unique moment.

When Ryan had an interest, he went "all-in". He became an accomplished self-taught chef, disc golf player, and bow hunter.

Ryan also had a big heart for dogs, having grown up around them his whole life. He and Cortney have two fur babies-Jackson and Hank. Ryan also became an excellent dog trainer. He helped dog owners achieve a better relationship with their pets.

After a few years with a career in law enforcement, Ryan chose to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a licensed charter boat captain and operated Blue Runner Charters out of Westerly, RI. Ryan's passion for fishing and spearfishing was contagious. He quickly became known as one of the premier captains to fish with and he often found it more fun getting people "on the fish" than he did reeling one in for himself.

Ryan not only loved being above the water, but below it as well. He started his love of free diving (diving without oxygen tanks) and spearfishing as a teenager and eventually dove in waters along the East coast and the Caribbean.

Ryan also learned through experience and exposure how to captain vessels much larger than his own and proudly started a vessel transport business, moving yachts up and down the East coast.

Ryan had so much passion, so much capacity to teach others about the ocean's vast gifts, and such a bright future. The world is a lesser place without him. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to those who have reached out and shown their support through their thoughts, prayers, texts, cards, phone calls, visits, food, and donations to the fund to search for Ryan. Because of so many people's generosity, we were able to send experienced, volunteer divers back to the wreck where Ryan went missing. We are confident the search was thorough and complete even though Ryan was not found. We would like to sincerely thank those divers for being so selfless and courageous to ensure no stone was left unturned. We also want to thank the local Bahamian community and the US Coast Guard for their efforts and professionalism while conducting their search.

Ryan is survived by his soulmate and love of his life, his wife Cortney (Goodale); parents Bill and Amy Proulx; his sister Nicole and her wife Maggie; his in-laws Bill and Dianne Goodale; his sister-in-law Brianna and her partner Sam; aunt Lori Valentini; cousin Michael Colwell; maternal grandmother Carolyn Gamble; paternal grandmother Hilde Proulx; his niece and nephew; countless friends and Captains of the sea. He is predeceased by his grandfathers, Gerald Gamble and Russell Proulx, and aunt Cathy Gamble.

Ryan was a lover of food, fish, fun and friendships. He was funny, outgoing, chatty, passionate, smart and very stubborn. We will always remember: his smile, his laugh, his red beard, his vast knowledge of SO MANY things and his excitement in sharing that knowledge. Although we tried to find closure by bringing Ryan home, we know in our hearts he is ALREADY at home in the ocean he loved. "May you have fair winds and following seas Captain Ryan", our precious son, husband, brother, and friend.

A Celebration of Life is planned for family and friends for a later date.

Details will be communicated soon.