WARKWORTH, Ont. – April 27, 2026 – The quiet hamlet of Warkworth, nestled in the rolling hills of Northumberland County, is wrapped in grief this week following the sudden death of Colson Elijah Myers, a 14-year-old who friends and family say possessed a rare combination of athletic drive, quiet kindness, and an effortless ability to brighten any room. He passed away on April 22, 2026, leaving a void that will be felt for years to come in this tight-knit community southeast of Peterborough.

Colson’s family confirmed the heartbreaking news through an official obituary published by Weaver Family Funeral Homes, which has been serving the Quinte and Trent Hills region for generations. Born on July 26, 2011, Colson was just two months shy of his 15th birthday at the time of his death. The family has not publicly disclosed the cause of death, citing privacy during an extremely difficult time, but confirmed that it was sudden and unexpected.

What has emerged in the days since April 22 is a portrait of a teenager who, despite his youth, lived with intention, humility, and a warmth that left an indelible mark on everyone from teammates to teachers to coworkers.

A Boy Who Loved the Outdoors and the Ice

From an early age, Colson was drawn to sports. He began skating not long after he could walk, and hockey quickly became more than a pastime — it was a passion. Friends recall watching him glide across the ice at the Warkworth Arena, where he played for local minor hockey associations. Whether he was scoring a goal or breaking up a play on defense, Colson played with a competitive fire that never crossed into arrogance.

In the spring and summer, he traded his skates for a baseball glove. He was a reliable infielder with a sharp eye at the plate, and teammates say he was the kind of player who would stay after practice to help younger kids work on their swing. His love for golf grew alongside baseball; on warm weekends, he could often be found on the fairways of nearby Oak Hills Golf Club or practicing his putts at the Trenton Golf Club. He was not the loudest player in a foursome, but he was the steadiest — never one to throw a club or lose his temper after a bad shot.

“Colson had this way of competing hard but then flipping a switch the second the game ended,” said a teammate who asked not to be named out of respect for the family. “He’d be all business on the ice, but then in the locker room, he’d be laughing and cracking jokes. Everyone wanted to be around him.”

Hunting and Fishing: Finding Peace in Quiet Places

Beyond organized sports, hunting and fishing were central to Colson’s life. These were not just hobbies; they were rituals. He often went out with his father or grandfather, waking up before dawn to sit quietly in a deer blind or cast a line into the cold waters of Rice Lake or the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Those who shared a boat or a hunting blind with him describe a teenager who understood patience and respect for nature. He followed safety rules meticulously, never treated a firearm carelessly, and believed in ethical hunting. “He was more mature at 14 than a lot of adults I know,” one family friend said. “When you were out in the woods with Colson, you felt safe. He had this calm that rubbed off on everyone.”

These outdoor moments, his family wrote in the obituary, were where Colson felt most at peace. Surrounded by trees, water, and quiet — often with a hot chocolate in his thermos — he would talk about his dreams, his school week, or nothing at all. Sometimes the best conversations were silent ones.

A Calm Kindness That People Noticed Immediately

Ask anyone who knew Colson to describe him, and the same words reappear: calm, kind, warm, steady, genuine. He was not the loudest teenager in the room, nor did he seek attention. But he had a presence — a way of walking into a room and making it feel lighter without saying much.

One teacher at Percy Centennial Public School (which Colson attended before moving on to Campbellford District High School) recalled how Colson would notice when a classmate was having a bad day. He didn’t make a big show of it. He’d simply sit next to them at lunch or offer a quiet “you okay?” That small gesture, repeated dozens of times over the years, built a reputation that followed him into high school.

“Some kids try to be popular by being loud or funny,” the teacher said. “Colson was popular because he was kind. It’s that simple. And that’s rare in a 14-year-old boy.”

At school, he was described as respectful and steady — never the one to start drama, never the one to gossip. He earned good grades not because he was a genius, but because he quietly did the work. He didn’t complain about assignments or argue with teachers. He just showed up, paid attention, and helped others when they struggled.

Sharpe Food Market: ‘He Stood Out for His Work Ethic’

Though still in his early teens, Colson already held a part-time job at Ontario’s Sharpe Food Market, a local grocery institution in the Warkworth area. Sharpe’s, as locals call it, has been serving the community for decades, and it’s common for teenagers to bag groceries or stock shelves there.

But Colson was not a common teenager. According to coworkers and management, he stood out almost immediately for his work ethic and his willingness to help without being asked. He didn’t need to be told to sweep the floor, face the shelves, or help an elderly customer carry bags to their car. He just did it.

The store’s management posted a public tribute to Colson in the days following his death, describing him as a young man who left a lasting impression through his character, reliability, and quiet strength in everyday tasks. The tribute, shared on social media and printed on a notice in the store’s entrance, read in part:

“Colson was more than an employee. He was family. He showed up early, stayed late when needed, and never once complained. In a world that often celebrates the loudest voices, Colson reminded us that quiet strength and a kind heart are what truly matter. He will be deeply missed by everyone at Sharpe’s.”

Current and former coworkers have described a boy who would restock milk crates without being told, who would offer to cover a shift for a sick coworker, and who always said “thank you” at the end of his shift — to the manager, to the cashier, even to the customer who just bought a lottery ticket and left the wrapper on the counter.

“He treated everyone the same,” one coworker said through tears. “The owner, the janitor, the customer buying a single apple — Colson gave everyone the same respect.”

Community Response: A Town in Mourning

Warkworth is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. With a population of just over 900 people, it’s a village where neighbours still borrow sugar from each other and kids play street hockey until the streetlights come on. When tragedy strikes, it strikes everyone.

Since news of Colson’s passing spread, the community has rallied around the Myers family. A memorial fund was quickly established to help with funeral and family support expenses. Local businesses have donated food and services. The Warkworth Arena dimmed its lights in his memory before a minor hockey game. Sharpe Food Market placed a photo of Colson near the checkout with a candle and a memory book where customers can leave notes.

A celebration of life is being planned, with details to be announced by Weaver Family Funeral Homes. The family has requested privacy at this time but expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of love from neighbours, teammates, teachers, and coworkers.

“Colson’s life was short, but it was full,” a family spokesperson said. “He packed more kindness into 14 years than many people pack into 80. We are shattered, but we are also so proud of the person he was.”

His Family’s Words from the Obituary

The obituary published by Weaver Family Funeral Homes painted a tender portrait of a boy beloved by parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, and friends. While the full obituary is available online, key excerpts describe Colson as:

· A “gentle soul with a fierce love for his family”
· Someone who “made the people around him feel seen and valued”
· A boy who “never sought the spotlight, but shone anyway”
· A loyal friend who “would give you the last cookie without thinking twice”

The obituary also noted that Colson leaves behind his parents, whose names have been withheld at the family’s request for privacy, as well as siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who adored him. The family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a local youth sports organization or a mental health initiative for young people — though no specific charity was named.

The Suddenness of Loss: Grappling with the Unexplained

Because the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, speculation has been minimal, and the community has largely respected the family’s privacy. Sudden death in a previously healthy 14-year-old is rare and devastating. Possible causes in such cases — though entirely speculative here — can include undiagnosed heart conditions, aneurysms, severe allergic reactions, accidents, or other medical emergencies. Without official confirmation, however, none of these should be assumed.

What is clear is that Colson’s passing was unexpected. He had been at work, at school, and with friends in the days leading up to April 22. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No long illness, no warning signs. Just a vibrant, active, healthy teenager — and then suddenly, he was gone.

That abruptness has made the grief particularly sharp. Friends described the moment they heard the news as “unreal” and “like a bad dream.” Some have sought counselling through school resources, which Campbellford District High School has made available to students.

Remembering Colson: A Legacy of Quiet Warmth

In the days since April 22, social media has been flooded with tributes. Photos of Colson in his hockey jersey, posing with a fish, grinning in the outfield, or stocking shelves at Sharpe Food Market have been shared hundreds of times. The comments are unanimous: He was kind. He was genuine. He made the world better.

One post from a teammate read: “I’ll never forget the time I struck out in a big game and Colson was the first one to pat me on the back and say ‘we’ll get ’em next time.’ He meant it. He always meant it.”

Another, from a teacher: “Some students pass through your classroom and leave no trace. Colson left footprints on my heart. I will remember his smile, his politeness, and his quiet confidence for the rest of my career.”

And from a coworker at Sharpe’s: “The store feels empty without him. Not because he was loud — but because his quiet presence made everything feel calmer. We miss you, buddy.”

Conclusion: A Short Life, Beautifully Lived

Colson Elijah Myers was born on July 26, 2011, and died on April 22, 2026. He lived just 14 years — less than 5,200 days. But by every account, those days were filled with purpose, connection, and an uncommon decency.

He loved hockey, baseball, golf, hunting, and fishing. He worked hard at Sharpe Food Market. He was a good student, a loyal friend, a loving family member. He carried a calm kindness that people noticed immediately. He made the room lighter.

In a small town like Warkworth, Ontario, news travels fast. But so does love. And in the wake of this unimaginable loss, that love has wrapped around the Myers family like a blanket. The hockey sticks will go quiet. The baseball diamonds will feel emptier. The hunting blinds will have one less pair of boots.

But Colson’s memory will remain — in every kind act, every patient word, every quiet moment of shared warmth. He left the world too soon. But he left it better than he found it.

Service Information

A celebration of Colson’s life will be announced by Weaver Family Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a local youth sports program or a mental health initiative for adolescents — details to be shared via the funeral home’s website.

Rest in peace, Colson Elijah Myers. July 26, 2011 – April 22, 2026.