Owyn Benjamin McInnis

Owyn was just shy of his 23rd birthday, born January 11, 2001 in Guelph Ontario. He came into this world full force and never stopped. As an adventurous kid and full of curiosity he wanted to always be on the go. Owyn fell in love with sports, playing hockey and lacrosse at a very young age and moving through the ranks. Road trips, tournaments and arenas were so much a part of his life.

From the Guelph Jr Storm, Guelph Regals, J.F.Ross high school teams to Hamilton Smash volleyball, Mohawk College Men’s Mountaineers Volleyball and landing at TRU Men’s Varsity Volleyball team in Kamloops BC. Owyn was a vibrant fun loving, inspiring young man with Incredible dreams to play university varsity volleyball out west, which he accomplished. Owyn’s life experiences created the young man of today. His summer adventures on the Thom farm in Almonte had him appreciating life on a much grander scale. Oh those stories. Summers landscaping taught him about hard work and then he would escape to a beach volleyball court with his dad and friends.

Owyn had beautiful athletic talents and man, was he smart. Drove us nuts how brilliant he was. As parents, we were so proud how he conducted himself in life and how he showed so much compassion for others. His quick wit, sense of humour and dancing on the side had everyone smiling. His family affectionately called him “Oj” a sweet nickname his sister gave him very early on and it stuck. He loved to banter with his big sister Brielle they would both be in stitches for hours about their music, chats about sports and their selective adulting skills. As parents, we wanted Owyn to enjoy whatever brought him joy. He started to become creative in the kitchen the last few years and even set up an Instagram page dedicated to his creations. As well, along with his fiancé Amber they would read children’s’ stories on YouTube for their niece Josie for her to enjoy when they were not close by.

Owyn was head over heels in love with Amber. They worked together the last two summers, had multiple daily conversations to keep connected during a long distance relationship and attending school. Their bond will never be broken, as they were completely intertwined.

He was attending Thompson River University in Kamloops BC, taking an undergrad in psychology, and recently decided to enter into the teaching field to educate at the high school level. Owyn was a 3rd year varsity team member with the TRU Varsity Men’s volleyball team. This team was a brotherhood, a family, a bond that only the boys on this team could describe. He love sharing their road trips, their dedication to being part of the community and team bonding stories with his family.

Owyn dearly loved his parents Sheldon McInnis and Erin Walter, his beautiful sister Brielle and her fiancé Matt Michael and adored with his whole heart his fiancé Amber Wingenbach and family dog Callie/Fish. Grieving as well, Uncle Andy McInnis(Heather) and Aunt and Uncle Karina and Brad Zimmerman with cousin Susie. Future in laws, Dean and Angela Wingenbach, Rachel, Dustin and Josie Daniels, Evan and Fatima Wingenbach. Predeceased by grandparents Michael McInnis and Susan and Derek Walter. Many close dear friends and extended family are mourning as well too many to name.

He knew how much he was loved by family, close dear friends and his team. Owyn lived full out. He loved life. Anyone he knew smiled because they knew him. It is extremely important to us as a family that his legacy lives on. A scholarship program has been established at TRU in his name, Owyn McInnis Memorial Men’s Volleyball Athletic Award. Please consider donating to https://www.tru.ca/giving/give-now.html

We would like to acknowledge and truly say thank you the first responders who swiftly took action at the scene, to transporting Owyn to the ER, the incredibly skilled medical professionals who worked on him. Dr Brandi Read and Coroner Jenni, we can not express our gratitude enough knowing Owyn was in the best hands and truly taking the time to meet with us. We are blown away by the outpouring from TRU. From Head Coach Pat, AD Curtis and all departments, teammates, trainers and their families that have been involved in handling this tragic situation with the great compassion and dignity. Thank you for all the texts, calls, notes and reach out across the nation, our family is in incredible shock however can feel all love that is being sent our way.

Resting at Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph (519-821-5077). Cremation has taken place. Family would like to invite friends and relatives to a visitation on Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 12:00pm to 2:30pm followed by a Memorial Service in the funeral home’s Hart Chapel at 2:30pm. Those who are unable to attend in person can watch the Memorial Service via a livestream link. Click on the "Join Livestream" button below.