ALEXANDER JAMES COLVILLE

ALEXANDER JAMES COLVILLE February 20, 1982 – March 3, 2023 Every parent’s nightmare became a reality for us on March 3, 2023, as we (Bill and Debby Colville) learned of the sudden death of our beloved son, Alexander James Colville (D.O.B February 20, 1982). His birth mother, Teresa Turtle (nee Assin) of Grassy Narrows First Nation, shares this sorrow. In 1999, Alex left the Island and landed a job at TSN Canadian Facts (market research) in Toronto on Bay Street. He had one corporate client: Kraft Foods. After 15 years and five changes of ownership, Alex and many other colleagues were downsized with a healthy severance package. He moved to Hamilton where he worked part-time as a ‘mystery shopper’. Alex was very fortunate to share a house in Hamilton with his best friend Dennis, two other housemates and Dennis’ two little dogs. Alex helped to care for ‘Luna’ and ‘Agatha’, spoiled them royally, fed them people food and took them for walks at any time of day or night. He adored them. Our son, family and community member and friend, died peacefully at his residence from heart failure with the doggies at his side. A ‘Star Trek lover’, Alex described himself as shy, reserved and admitted recently, that he didn’t like to express emotions. In light of that, there will be no traditional funeral. He wished to be cremated and to have some of his ashes placed with his grandparents in Toronto, with little (or no) fanfare. Alex and his three siblings chose the burial plot (for Deb’s father in 1992) that met their criteria: it had to be near a tree, near a tap to water flowers and with the headstone facing a certain direction. Alex’s urn will be placed there in the fall of 2023. Some of Alex’s ashes will be buried with Teresa’s parents at Grassy Narrows. Rudy and Teresa Turtle, his five siblings, extended family and community members will celebrate his life and mourn his passing. Special thanks goes to Marie Turley of Gore Bay, for her friendship from Grade 4 until his death. Alex enjoyed visiting Marie and her family.