Dear Friends of Letsrun.com.
I want to personally thank all of you for the tremendous support you have demonstrated to our family. It has made this difficult time so much more easier to accept. I would however, like to correct a misunderstanding about my son Ryan. It has come to my attention through phone conversations, e-mails and the media that Ryan passed away with little or no money, to support his wife or bury himself. This is not accurate. Ryan was a great provider for his family and will be leaving a substantial estate for a man of his age. In addition, Saucony has generously committed to honor Ryan’s contract for the next 15 months.
I don’t want anyone to donate money, because they believed he was poor. This would be the farthest thing from the truth, and I would feel money was being collected under false pretenses.
As my son’s funeral arrangements were being completed the funeral director suggested I may want to have a Ryan Shay Memorial Fund, and I agreed, if it would appropriate. The response was overwhelming. I want to let you know every dollar will be used to benefit the memory of Ryan, through scholarships, development of Ryan Shay running trails in a park next to his grave site, and a memorial at his high school track.
Saucony has offered to establish a foundation in his name and The New York Road Runners have indicated they would like to do something to honor his memory. I have suggested stipends for up and coming runners, especially in the area of medical assistance, and stipends for coaches of the athletes. If you have any suggestions please e-mail me.
I have ask well known individuals such as Mary Wittenberg, Joe Vigil, Joe Piane and Greg Myers to be part of the oversight board to insure the contributions would be handled and used in a dignified manner.
Once again thank you for all your e-mails and support . I do plan to respond to all your e-mails (it may take a while I had about 2000). Thank you for your contributions to my son’s memory. I wish money could bring him back.
I miss him so very very much.
Joe Shay