Ryan MacCluen, 31, passed away suddenly as a result of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident on Feb. 15.
Ryan MacCluen, 31, passed away suddenly as a result of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident on Feb. 15. Born and raised in Millville, N.J., Ryan attended Millville Public Schools and graduated from St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland. While in high school, Ryan participated in the Congressional Award Program and was awarded the Gold Medal. The medal is the highest award given by the United States Congress recognizing America’s Youth. After graduation, he attended The Citadel as a Criminal Justice Major and the University of Maryland pursuing a degree in the field of Emergency Management.
As a child, he enjoyed playing baseball, crew, golf, tennis, and soccer. Later in life, he continued to play baseball in the Mid Atlantic Vintage Baseball League, complete with old style uniforms and the original rules of baseball. Ryan was a member of First United Methodist Church of Millville where he was involved in serving the community and actively participating in the youth group. Later, Ryan joined Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville, S.C.
Ryan will be remembered for his caring, compassionate soul, with an unwavering devotion to family and friends. It was his lifelong quest to help others that led him to a career of community service and caring for those that were not able to care or defend themselves. Ryan’s training would prepare him to serve as a volunteer in many organizations including the Millville Rescue Squad, the Cumberland County Office of Emergency Management (New Jersey), New Jersey Veterans Home where he received the Volunteer of the Year Award, College Park (Maryland) Volunteer Fire Department Station 12, and most recently the NCPD Cops Athletic Program (CAP) Powder Puff Football. Ryan took immense joy in helping others on several mission trips to Haiti and most recently Ecuador.
Following his move to South Carolina, Ryan started his career with the Charleston County Consolidated Emergency Dispatch Center. Feeling a desire to serve the community more directly, he joined the North Charleston Police Department, graduating from South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a police officer. It was the start of what would lead him to find his true calling and purpose in life. The joy that he found in being able to make a positive difference in so many lives was immeasurable, and for that, his family and friends are eternally grateful.
Ryan is survived by his father, Lawrence MacCluen, and his wife, Patricia, of Haddonfield, N.J.; his mother, Shawn Kahn, and her husband, Mark, of Summerville S.C.; brother, Eric MacCluen, and his wife, Holly, of Downingtown, PA; sisters, Kelly and Olivia of Haddonfield, N.J.; brother, Lt. Tyler Kahn (USA) and his wife, Caroline, of Fort Drum, N.Y.; brother, Chad Kahn, of Summerville, S.C. and his girlfriend, Nina Scott. He is also survived by aunts, Patricia Hilt, Eileen Inglesby, Sheri Arnes and Cheryl Nunes, Barbara Miskelly, Linda and Mary Gillespie, Paula Ladnier, Donna Woerner; uncles, Steve Klammer, and his wife, Sue; Paul Klammer, and his wife Emily; Hilary Kahn, and his wife, Cindy; David Kahn, and wife, Cara; Adam Kahn.
Ryan was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Janet Miskelly and paternal grandmother, Margaret Wilt. Services for Ryan were held on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville. Burial was at Parks Cemetery, Summerville, immediately following the service. The family would like to honor Ryan’s request that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in care of Bethany United Methodist Church for the NCPD Cops Athletic Program (CAP).
Please visit the Ryan MacCluen Memorial Fund page on Facebook to make donations or send donations payable to Bethany United Methodist Church of Summerville, 118 W Third St. S, Summerville, S.C. 29483.
