John A. Nys, 58, of Jackson Schoolhouse Road, Pascoag, RI , died, Tuesday , October 15, 2025 at Milford Regional Hospital in Milford, MA. He was the partner of Mark S. Caron for 25 years.
Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Jacqueline S. (Mandeville) Nys. He had lived in Burrillville for the past 35 years and had previously lived in Woonsocket, RI.
He had been employed by FedEx for 32 years before retiring and pursuing his dream of dog agility training.
John was the owner of Agility Rush K9 Performance Center in Uxbridge, MA where he pursued his passion for animal training for over 25 years.
He started his devotion to training horses at an early age. John has won multiple National Championships with his horses and was the Massachusetts National Barrel Horse Rodeo Champion in 2002.
John has also competed in dog agility for over 25 years. During this time, he has become one of the most respected competitors and instructors in agility. John and his “teammates” have earned 15 Master Agility Champion Titles. John has represented the US 10 times as either an AKC World Team member, Assistant Coach and finally, Head Coach, at the FCI World Championships, 3 times at the European Open Championships, and on the 2015 World Agility Open US Team. John’s persistence and passion have made him one of the most decorated National and International Champions with multiple Gold and Silver Medals. He has also achieved the title of Westminster Kennel Clubs Master Agility Grand Champion and 2 Time Master Agility Champion. His accomplishments have been earned through either the American Kennel Club, Westminster Kennel Club, USDAA or UKI dog agility venues.
Besides his loving Partner, Mark Caron, and multiple K-9 companions, John is survived by his sister, Suzanne Harnois and her husband, Mark of Pascoag, his niece, Nicole Dwyer and her husband, Corey and their children: Aurora and Melody and a nephew, Jeremie Harnois and his wife, Holly.
His funeral service will be held at Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Calling hours will be from 8:30AM to 10:30 AM, immediately followed by services at 10:30AM. Burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery, Blackstone, MA. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or The American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation.
The American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation