Risco Confirmed as Drowning Victim on Fire Island, Loved Ones Grapple with Their Loss

Police have identified Peekskill resident Ryan Risco, 26, as a drowning victim off Fire Island this morning.

Risco's body was found washed ashore at Davis Park, a Fire Island community, nearly 12 hours after he reportedly went for an early morning ocean swim with a friend Tuesday.

The 26-year-old was reported missing by the friend at 2:30 a.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which, along with Suffolk Police, conducted intensive aerial and boat searches along Fire Island from about 5 a.m. to the time the body was discovered by a beach goer at about 11 a.m.

Risco was a beloved member of the Peekskill community having grown up on Ringgold Street. He attended through high school and went on to major in theatre arts at Manhattanville College and Westchester Community. He was working as a server at , a restaurant in Cortlandt Manor, and has years of experience in the service industry, during which he made friends at every stop along the way.

Friends and family were shocked to hear of Risco’s passing and are left grappling with the loss of the young, charismatic man. Most who knew Risco well have mentioned his fun-loving, warm and affectionate attitude and his affinity for the Ghostbusters, theater and the Yankees. Risco had an ability to connect with many different types of people and form friendships quickly. Friends and former co-workers describe him as a caring, thoughtful, fun, intelligent and genuine person.

“It’s a great loss to our community,” said County Legislator and Peekskill resident John Testa, who was one of Risco’s teachers and who is a close family friend. “He was a wonderful and talented person, and we are all devastated by the loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. The community will help them get through this tragedy.”

Many friends and family have written heart-felt messages about Risco’s vibrant and charismatic personality and reminisced about good times with him.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die,” Dawn-Marie DeVido quoted Thomas Campbell on E.O. Curry Funeral Home’s memorial page dedicated to Risco. DeVido went on:

“Since we were little, I have known Ryan to light up every room he entered. He was loved by everyone who came into contact with him. Risco family, you raised an amazing person and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.”

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 16th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm and Sunday, July 17th from 4 – 8 pm at the E.O. Curry Funeral Home, Peekskill.

A Funeral Mass will be offered 10 am, Monday, July 18th at the , Peekskill, followed by interment in the Assumption Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.eocurryfuneralhome.com