It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved and treasured Riker. Riker Joseph Glenn McKelvey passed away unexpectedly on May 23, 2023 at 10 years of age.
Riker, or as some have affectionately known him as ‘Riker-roni,’ was born on June 1, 2012 in Thunder Bay, Ontario and immediately captured the hearts of anyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Riker grew up surrounded by the love of his mother (Jessica Muloin), stepfather (Zach Elkie), father (Andrew McKelvey) and stepmother (Chantal DeGrace).
Riker was a kind, helpful, compassionate and curious soul. He had a love of learning and would quickly embrace any opportunity to engage in new experiences from tasting a new food to digging in gardens to investigate centipedes to riding a motorbike for the first time. Riker was a dreamer who enjoyed fully immersing himself in the Marvel universe and always counted down the days until the next movie release, especially if it had anything to do with Spiderman.
Riker loved music, video games, collecting Pokemon cards and creating works of art. Riker was a talented artist who shared his gifts with his family and classmates at C.D. Howe Public School. Riker was in the fifth grade and enjoyed learning from Mrs. Clutchey and Mrs. Deacon. Riker was very fond of his grade four teacher, Mr. McCreery, with their bond continuing to grow beyond the previous school year.
Riker became an amazing skateboarder this year with recently achieving his first drop-in on a ramp. Riker loved spending time at the Cinema5 Skatepark where he was working on his ollie. Riker was also extremely excited for summer vacation and was doing extra jobs for his dad and family friends to make extra money for a big shopping spree in Toronto. Riker loved his seafood and would often go back for second and third helpings.
Riker was an amazing friend. You would often find him laughing with Finlay as they jumped on the trampoline, strategizing with Calvin on how they were going to attack the next game of Fortnite or letting loose and being authentically himself with his best friend Kyran. You could always find Riker engaging in games and activities with his cousins and siblings any chance he got. Riker was also a friend to all animals and loved his kitties Jasper, Gwen, Ninja, Nova and Genie and his puppies Kitsune and Skye.
Riker grew his love and appreciation for artistic expression from days spent creating masterpieces with his mother. He loved to spend his days singing songs, going on hikes and learning how to bake cookies for his mom and Zach to enjoy. Riker especially enjoyed tenting with his grandparents at their camp in the summers and looked forward to Wingfest at his aunt’s every Canada Day. His most favourite pastime was playing video games with Zach where losing never thwarted his determination to just play one more time.
Riker spent endless hours with his siblings playing video games, listening to music, playing pranks, jumping on the trampoline, playing soccer and swimming in the river. He was always the first one in and getting him back out was never an easy feat. He especially loved swimming in Grandma Debbie’s pool. Riker loved going to Eva Lake and spending his days fishing, hunting and adventuring. Riker had a special bond with his sister Aurora, since the moment they were born, and have experienced countless adventures together. Riker truly enjoyed going to work with his dad and would come home excited and proud to talk about how his day went.
Riker was an amazing soul, taken too soon for all of us to see all that he could be, but he was going to change this world. When asked what Riker wanted to be when he grew up he had one profound answer: a father. Riker was our superhero who not only embraced but personified the very definition of a hero as quoted by his idol Stan Lee:
“Definition of a hero is someone who is concerned about other people’s well-being, and will go out of his or her way to help them – even if there is no chance of reward. That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed without a doubt, a real superhero.”
We love you. We miss you. Rest in peace Commander Riker.
Riker will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his mother Jessica Muloin, stepfather Zach Elkie, father Andrew McKelvey, stepmother Chantal DeGrace; siblings Austin, Ethan, Aurora; grandparents: Susan and Glenn Muloin, Ron and Jewel McKelvey, Anne McKelvey and Tony Lourenco, Phil Elkie, Rene DeGrace, Tianne Stewart; great grandparents Noreen McKelvey, Victor DeGrace; aunts and uncles: Colleen Moore and Bobby Arella, Christina and Jeff Yahn, Krista Elkie and Charlie Mehagan, Colleen McKelvey and Sarah Perritt, Katie OBeirn, Nick OBeirn, Cassandra Stewart, Denis and Daniel DeGrace; cousins: Ashleigh and Victoria Arella, Ava and Easton Yahn, Malakai Mehagan, Cian Dowden, Liam OBeirn, Frankie and Mason DeRose. He is also survived by numerous great aunts and uncles.
He was predeceased by his great grandparents Albert and Zella Muloin, Henry McKelvey, Joseph and Mary Cryan, Theresa DeGrace; grandmother Anne Elkie.
The family of Riker would like to extend their gratitude and thanks to all of the first responders and staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for their support and kindness.
Services will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 10:30 a.m. to Redwood Park Church, 2609 Redwood Ave. East, where the celebration of Riker’s life will be presided by Archdeacon Deborah Kraft beginning at 11:00 a.m. Cremation will follow. Friends may gather directly at the church after 10:00 a.m. For those unable to attend in person, the services will be streamed live at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 Cumberland St. North, on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Paws4Love Thunder Bay or Cinema5 Skatepark.
