March 2025

Ryan D. Knable (May 16, 1985 – March 5, 2025) was a devoted father of two boys (Niko and Ollie), a talented carpenter, enthusiastic athlete, local softball organizer, and a bigger than life personality with an inimitable sense of humor.

A child with a wide range of interests, Ryan had many topics he investigated with great energy: birds, baseball cards, the musician Vivaldi, coins, and participation in sports. Ryan’s avian interest began at age 7, when he taught himself to identify birds by their colors, sizes, and whistles; he also donated road kill for selected exhibits at the New York State Museum in Albany. At 8, his bird interest was replaced by baseball cards and a lifelong love of sports. Ryan was on ski, soccer, and baseball teams, often leading his team to a win. Ryan instilled a love of sports and the out-of-doors to his boys. They participate on baseball, basketball, and soccer teams. Ryan and his boys enjoyed boating, swimming, hiking, and even snow-shoeing. The boys attended baseball and indoor semi-pro games, their favorite being hockey.

By age 12, Ryan began an intense interest in travel. He loved learning about other countries, cultures, and people, and traveled from Caribbean island countries to Mexico, Japan, and China. As an adult, he traveled all over the States, Europe, and as far as Morocco where he could meet up with new and old friends.

Very notably, as an adult, Ryan organized a summer adult baseball league; he would rally interest every week through reminders on the Community Page of Bridgton, and by providing equipment if people needed it. A somewhat recent interest was studying astronomy and watching the stars through a telescope on his deck; Ryan loved spotting unusual star constellations and meteors. Most of all, he looked forward to viewing the Northern lights from the shores of Long Lake.

The sole proprietor of Knable Construction, Ryan cared deeply about completing quality work. He wanted to help people regardless of the size or complexity of the project, and often relished a difficult assignment. Whether working, shopping, or coaching his kids, Ryan was one of those guys with a big grin who always had time to chat with the various people he saw every day. He had a certain charisma and a genuine interest in people, loved music, and had recently started dancing with great energy.

Ryan, predeceased by his brother Nick, has left a huge tragic hole in many hearts, most notably his children Cameron (18), Niko (9) and Ollie (7), his mother Sue Gottschalk (Gulf Breeze, Fla.), sister Amity Knable (Queens, N.Y.) and her daughter Adalena. He left many uncles and aunts, cousins, and numerous friends from around the world as well as locally,

You are invited to a Celebration of Life on May 17. Details to be published closer to the remembrance of this wonderful soul.