South Hamilton

John Ryan Pike age 23, beloved son of John L. and Paula (Brophy) Pike of South Hamilton, longtime boyfriend of Mary Falkenstern of Norwood, NJ died Sunday afternoon in Fairhaven, Ma.

Born in Salem he was raised and educated in South Hamilton with family at the center of his life. An accomplished athlete, he was graduated from Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School as class President in the Class of 2002.

He then entered Syracuse University, where he continued his education and life with a passion in the Newhouse School of Public Communication. He became a News Writer and On Air Personality for WAER Jazz 88, as well as a DJ, Spot Writer, and Jazz Director for WERW 1570 all in Syracuse, NY. An inductee of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, The Golden Key International Honor Society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, John appeared on the Dean's List from 2002 to 2006. He was also a New England Mechanical Contractors Merit Scholar.

In 2006 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Public Magna Cum Laude and continued to follow his love of music. As a drummer, was an original member and lyricist helping to form the nationally and internationally acclaimed RA RA RIOT Band. In March the band released their first EP and was recently written up in both Rolling Stone and Billboard Magazine. John was very proud of the band and their accompmlishments.
To his family and friends he was the music of their lives. John Ryan was of scrupulous and honorable character. He never met a cold heart that he could not warm. He was a kind person that nobody thought existed; he was sincere, genuine, kind, honest, generous and forgiving. He had no enemies, simply a loveable disposition that made its way into the hearts of many. There is no way to measure all the lives that were touched by the light and the love in his heart.

He was a dedicated student, a loyal friend and a flamboyant storyteller. He had the gifts of humor, intelligence and an amazingly natural talent for music. When John was around you could always be assured of side-splitting laughter to the soundtrack of his drumming hands on any near by surface. He lived his dream and everyone around him beamed with joy and pride and he established himself as a respected musician.

In addition to his parents, John is survived by his sister Lauren Pike of South Hamilton and her boyfriend Scott Coppeta of Methuen; his maternal grandparents John M. and Patricia (Riordan) Brophy of Peabody; his aunts, uncles and cousins Alice and Emile Smith of Shrewsbury and their children Judith Goguen, Peter Smith, David Smith, Catherine Palermo and Margaret Aloupis; Carol and Lee Pike of Lake George NY and their son Lee David Pike; Marie Pike of Kennebunk, ME, Ann and Robert Pike of Sagamore, and their children Heather Calderwood, Beth Pike and Kelly Pike; Margaret and John McKinnon of Raynham, and their son John M. McKinnon; Linda and John Bedker of Breckenridge, CO. and their son Bentley, Colleen and Larz Stone of Centerville, and their children Charlotte, Caroline and Catherine Stone; and Julie and Jack Brophy and their children John M. Brophy III and Ben Stavros.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Leander J. and Emily E. Pike.

His family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the community of Fairhaven, the Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard and all the friends for the help and support they have received.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, June 9 at 9:00 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal ST., (cor of North ST) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. in St. Paul's Church, 50 Union ST., Hamilton, Ma. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 P.M. in the Murphy Funeral Home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the John Pike Memorial Fund, c/o Citizen's Bank, at any location. Burial will be private. For more information and online guest book, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978 744 0497.