Arrangements have been made for the wake and funeral of Lance Corporal Ryan Barnard, a 22-year-old resident of Valley Cottage who died in a motorcycle crash on July 2 in Kailua, Hawaii.
He was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps’ Third Littoral Combat Team, Second Platoon, Ares Company.
The Honolulu Police Department’s Traffic Division reported that Barnard was riding at a high rate of speed around 2:08 a.m. when he lost control of the motorcycle, striking both a traffic pole and a concrete wall. He was thrown from the vehicle and landed on the shoulder of the road.
Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Barnard, who was wearing a helmet, succumbed to his injuries.
Funeral procession scheduled for July 17
On July 17 at about 6 p.m., a procession to bring Barnard home is supposed to travel north along Route 9W to Broadway, ending at Hannemann Funeral Home in Nyack, at the corner of Cedar Hill and Broadway.
The procession is expected to pass by Tappan Zee Elementary School between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to line Broadway from South Nyack to Nyack in a show of unity and compassion, to honor Ryan and support his grieving family.
A wake for Barnard will also be held on Friday, July 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Ann’s Church in Nyack.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Congers.
Ryan Barnard remembered for life of dedication
A 2021 graduate of Nyack High School, Bernard was known for his love of hockey. He played for the Army West Point Junior Black Knights, the Palisades Predators and his high school team.
Friends and coaches remembered him for his quiet determination, team spirit and leadership on and off the ice.
His family said he had aspired to serve his country from a young age.
“Ryan was drawn to service and honor. He embodied the values of Duty, Honor, Country, and lived fully by the Marine Corps motto: Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful,” his obituary read.
Community rallies to bring fellow Marines to Rockland for farewell
Members of Barnard’s platoon were granted leave to attend the services in New York.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover airfare from Hawaii for the Marines who had become like family to him. The fundraiser quickly gained support, and organizers later announced that an anonymous donor had covered the travel expenses.
As of July 17, $34,975 had been raised, coming close to the campaign’s $40,000 goal.
The money raised will allow 13 Marines from Barnard’s platoon to attend the services.
“You have all helped to give the Barnards such a priceless gift,” the GoFundMe read.
Additional contributions will go toward establishing a West Point Junior Black Knight Scholarship in his honor.
Barnard is survived by his parents, John and Christina Barnard, and his siblings Trevor, Matthew and Caroline.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Valley Cottage U.S. Marine Ryan Barnard honored in funeral procession
Reporting by Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
