BANGOR — Stephen Colvin was described as “one of a kind” Friday by Husson University football teammate Ryan Stroud, who was skiing with him on Tuesday at Sugarloaf Mountain when Colvin died after losing control and careening into trees.
A memorial service to commemorate the 21-year-old sophomore defensive end was held on Friday at a packed G. Peirce Webber Campus Center on the Husson campus.
Approximately 300 were in attendance at the service for the Hoosick Falls, N.Y., native who began skiing age 10. He was skiing on the difficult Hayburner trail when he apparently lost control. He was not wearing a helmet.
“He was one of those people whose glass was always full, no matter what the situation was. He felt everything was going to be OK,” said a teary-eyed Stroud after the service. “He inspired us all.
“We’ll always remember Steve. He will always be with us,” added Stroud.
When Stroud had addressed the gathering earlier, he said Colvin “lived life to the fullest” and embodied the belief that you have only one chance in life so you need to make the most of it.
Stroud also said Colvin was a prototypical Husson University Eagle football player.
“He was a blue-collar guy who loved the game and loved his teammates,” said Stroud. “He was a tough, hard-working guy.”
Colvin had lifted weights as part of the team’s off-season training regimen Tuesday morning before he and three friends drove to Sugarloaf.
“We had talked to him before he left about being safe on the drive up there,” said Husson coach Gabby Price. “We worried about him being tired.”
Price said Colvin was a joy to coach.
“He was just a fun kid,” said Price. “Everything about him was fun. He taught us how precious friends are and how precious life is.”
Price recalled a time when Colvin observed him wearing a sweat suit that he was wearing for the third straight day.
“He said ‘Coach, do you have a track meet today? Are you sure you’re in shape for that?” grinned Price.
Colvin had an infectious personality, according to teammate and close friend Matt Pellerin.
“Whenever he entered a room, everyone would be happy. He made you want to be around him,” said Pellerin.
Another teammate, Byron Jackson, said Colvin “never complained” about anything, including the rigors of weight training or football practice.
“Football practice is hard, but he always had this huge smile,” noted James York.
Josiah Hartley called Colvin an “optimistic” person.
“He was always positive,” said Hartley. “He had a good life and he brought a positive environment to everything he did. He was hard-nosed. Everything he was asked to do, he did to the best of his ability. He always wanted to better himself.”
Colvin had an internship with Stillwater Environmental Engineering and Phil Ruck, president of the company, said Colvin brought enthusiasm and initiative to his internship.
Sarah Pringle-Lewis, the university chaplain, conducted the service and Husson President Robert A. Clark addressed the gathering by saying “there are no words to express the sadness and sorrow” surrounding a life that was “so tragically shortened.”
He recommended that everyone “cherish the memories” of their time spent with Colvin.
Football teammates Anderson Smith said Colvin would “always stop and talk to you” and Stevens Laguerre said the two of them shared a passion for the Atlanta Falcons and would always talk about the team.
Laguerre said even though the Falcons had a tough season this year, Colvin had a positive outlook for the Falcons’ future.
One of the last times Laguerre saw him Colvin was wearing an Atlanta Falcons jersey.
“He had a big smile on his face and said next year is going to be a good year,” said Laguerre.
Husson athletic director Frank Pergolizzi read emails sent from Ruck and Husson professors Ken Johnson and Tom Stone pertaining to Colvin’s good nature and desire to pursue a career in environmental science.
Teammate Caleb King said there “weren’t enough words” to detail how much Colvin would be missed.
“He would do anything for anyone,” said King.
Jackson noted Colvin’s dramatic improvement over the course of the season and how bright his future was thanks to his passion for the sport and his work ethic.
“I was really looking forward to seeing him play next year,” said Jackson.
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- Husson football tight end Caleb King reflects during a service of remembrance for Stephen Colvin on Friday at Husson. Colvin was killed in a skiing accident at Sugarloaf on Tuesday.
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