Posted by Andrew McIntyre - Ryan Ferrari's Uncle and Godfather, a resident of another community, on Dec 8, 2009 at 9:48 pm

My name is Andrew McIntyre and I am Ryan Ferrari's Uncle and GodFather. I would like to go on record that I formally requested that Mr. Boyce not run a followup article after learning that he did not contact Ryan'a parents for their permission, not to mention for an opportunity for them to be quoted for the Almanac's readership on what a fine, caring and talented young man that my nephew, Ryan Ferrai was.

I can not believe that Mr. Boyce continues to have no regard for my sister and brother-in-law who have experienced a parent's worst nightmare by republishing insensitive statements and reflections of who Ryan was from a friend of Ryan's from several years ago.

I can assure the Editor in Chief of this paper that the CEO's of each of their financial sponsors will receive a personal phone call as well as a letter from me describing the type of reporting content that they are associating their fine company names and business reputation with.

Andrew McIntyre

Posted by Elaine Lemler - Ryan's Cousin, a resident of another community, on Dec 9, 2009 at 9:43 am

My name is Elaine Lemler and I am Ryan's cousin. I would just like to comment on how disgusted I am with the way this newspaper has handled my family's tragic situation. The reporter Dave Boyce clearly has no conscience or regard for my family's feelings. Stating that is was "a journalist's privilege" to run several insensitive articles. Not to mention all the negative/hurtful comments that have followed from various members of the community. Thank you to all the decent people who have expressed their sympathy and condolences. Instead of focusing on the information my father Andrew McIntyre had given on Ryan such as his love of animals, his love and devotion to his family and his amazing personality your reporter continues to use reference from a kid he went to high school with who didn't even know the young man that Ryan had become. If you had the privilege of knowing Ryan than you understand what a tremendous loss this has been for my family. Please allow my family to heal and give them peace. I love you Ryan and you will always be in my heart.

Posted by Richard Hine, managing editor of The Almanac, on Dec 9, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Richard Hine is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

I'm sorry that our recent story about Ryan Ferrari has caused so much consternation among members of the family and others who are posting here.

The story's intent was to tell how a friend will remember Ryan Ferrari for his honesty and reliability, for his candor and sincerity, and how much he will be missed by this friend and others. "He just had that kind of rare personality that you couldn't forget," said James Ronstadt.

And the comment from Ryan's uncle and godfather: "You could always count on Ryan for an honest opinion. It was always in a polite way. He was just a really nice guy."

Mr. Ronstadt's comment on Ryan's driving habits, not mentioned until the second to the last paragraph, is what has drawn most of the criticism. True, this is just one person's opinion. Someone else, including the uncle, had a different opinion, and that is pointed out in the next sentence.

We thought the comments were relevant. I understand that others see them as unnecessary and insensitive. We are sorry if they caused consternation for members of the family. That was not our intent. Our intent was to present the views of this friend and a member of the family about how they would remember Ryan.