Obituary of Riley Wade Hadiken

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It is with broken hearts that the family announces that Riley, age 26 years, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 11, 2021. 

Riley was born on January 20, 1995, in Swan River, MB.   From the time he was born, he was a mild mannered, sensitive boy, who lit up every room with his presence and his smile. 

Riley and his parents moved to Regina when he was 18 months old. When Riley was 4, Kobe was born and he was promoted to big brother.  He was so proud, extremely patient, and always wanted to help out.  

He attended elementary school at W.F. Ready, where he made so many friends and was always one of the staff favourites.  He was incredibly smart, respectful and kind to all those around him.  His teachers always commented on how he got along so well with everyone.  No one was ever left out.

He found his love of sports at an early age.  He started hockey at age 5, and excelled at it.  He was truly loved by all of his coaches and teammates over the years, none more than his step-dad Jason who was lucky enough to assist on the bench for a couple of seasons.  Riley was a natural athlete and also played football, basketball and a little baseball too.  He loved to golf and to play tennis.  Aside from sports, he was also the cribbage champion in elementary school and he loved to challenge anyone to a game of crib right up until the end, especially his mom and his cousin Carley, with their “race to 100 wins” competitions.

In his younger years, Riley loved to spend time camping with his family and had many fun adventures with his cousins.  He enjoyed visiting his grandparents in BC and spending time with his grandma Annette, who he had a very special bond with.  He spent a lot of quality time with his brother and best friend Kobe, and he was always hanging out with his huge group of friends.  Riley was always invited for sleepovers and weekend getaways because he was the best behaved of the friend group as we had been told. 

Riley attended Balfour High School and made so many friendships along the way.  He played on the basketball and football teams.  He was especially good at math, and tutored some of the kids who needed extra help.  He was loved by all of his teachers in his high school years.

Besides playing sports, Riley was an avid watcher of pretty much any sport you can follow.  He cheered for the Vancouver Canucks in hockey, thanks to his Uncle Cory.  His favourite sport and team by far was the Cleveland Browns of the NFL.   He even had an orange helmet tattooed on the back of his leg to show his dedication.  He suffered through many years of horrendous records, even a 0 wins and 16 losses season, but his dedication never wavered.  He enjoyed many football Sundays with his dad and brother.  His dad will especially miss those moments.  The Browns are finally starting to win some games, and even made the playoffs last season.  We know that Riley will continue to cheer them on from up above.

Challenges in Riley’s latter years took him to Ontario, where he made many new friendships and where he developed a deep relationship with the Lord.  While there, he started to play the drums and the piano and really had incredible musical ability. He warmed our hearts on FaceTime visits, playing his mom’s favourite songs that he learned on the piano.  Riley mentored and helped many other people during his time in Ontario. 

If there is one thing Riley taught us, it is that laughter is the best medicine.  He could make anyone smile and laugh with his crazy sense of humour, no matter what the situation was.  Riley’s passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.  We will cherish the precious memories, and we will all miss him so much. GO BROWNS!! 

Riley was predeceased by his grandparents, Annette and Bill Danielson, and Gordon Whetstone.  Riley will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his mother Sheree and stepfather Jason, his father Derwin (Melody), his brother Kobe, his step-sister Megan (Brydon), his grandparents Nick and Velma Hadiken, his step-grandparents Rose and Lorne, several aunts, uncles and cousins, and many, many friends and co-workers. 

Donations in Riley’s memory can be made to Teen Challenge Canada, 2155 Airport Dr #12, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6M5 or the Regina Humane Society, Box 3143 Regina, SK S4P 3G7