Crash victim who overcame drug addiction 'believed life was a precious gift'

Ryan Gillis became an inspiration for many after he overcame drug addiction through yoga. (CTV Atlantic)

The friends and family of Ryan Gillis, an award-winning advocate against drug abuse, are preparing to say goodbye after he was killed in a car crash in Alberta last week.

Gillis grew up in Sydney Mines, N.S. and started using drugs at the age of 13. He became an IV drug user at the age of 21 and spent years in and out of jail and recovery houses.

In October 2012, Gillis joined a 12-step program and started receiving treatment for liver disease. Then he decided to take a friend’s advice and try yoga, which he said helped him get healthy and stay sober.

“He really believed life was a precious gift and I think he was so close to death so many times that I think he had this appreciation that I think most of us don’t comprehend,” says yoga instructor Sherry Zak.

Gillis inspired many as he used yoga to overcome his addiction and turn his life around. He quickly became a positive role model for others suffering from addiction and also for those in the yoga community as he dedicated his life to teaching youth about the dangers of drugs and the power of yoga.

He was honoured for his hard work at the Courage to Give Back awards in January.

Sadly, Gillis’ life was cut short last week at the age of 30, when he was killed in a single-vehicle collision in Sherwood Park.

Now, his family and friends are trying to come to terms with the devastating loss of a man who worked so hard to turn his life around.

“He’s been doing so well, his family was so proud of him,” says friend Jason LeFrense. “They had times they couldn’t be around him, so now you have your son who’s doing everything they knew he could taken away in a car accident. It’s tough.”

Amanda MacEachern says, while her cousin’s death is sad, she does feel a sense of closure.

“I’m happy for him that he got to experience his life with clarity and joy in the last two-and-a-half years and that we got to experience him that way,” says MacEachern.

A celebration of his life will take place 10 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Church in Sydney Mines.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore