New Westminster's recovery community is in mourning in the wake of a murder at a transitional house on Nanaimo Street last week.
Jason Collet was a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a coworker, a friend, and a beloved member of the city's recovery community, read a statement posted on the Last Door Recovery Society's Facebook page. Originally from Prince George, 38-year-old Collet had battled his own dependency issues and was now working as an addictions support worker at the Last Door Recovery Society's adult program facility on Eighth Street.
By day, Collet was a crane operator and had recently joined the Surrey Search and Rescue team, according to the statement.
"He was a musician, a logger and will be especially remembered for the time he spent helping others with kind words, an appreciative ear and keen insights," the statement read. "In the end, New Westminster as a whole has lost a valued community member. A hardworking man who could fall a tree and who had the soul of a poet. We will miss Jason's warmth and his twinkling eyes."
In the statement, the Last Door Recovery Society expressed shock at the events that took place on Sept. 16, citing that for more than 30 years the society had had a peaceful existence in the city.
Comments on the organization's Facebook page described Collet as a happy and caring person - a man who will be surely missed.
"Rest in Paradise brother. You touched so many lives in such a positive way. You gave back to me, and so many others, selflessly and for that I am eternally grateful," Aaron Kazimirski wrote.
"Jason was the kind of man who would always say hi. He always had shares that were inspirational and positive. I will miss his posts here on Facebook, as everything he said was with a love for life, people and recovery," Jennifer McCoy wrote.
Collet's murder has sparked discussion in New West about the anonymity of the Nanaimo Street transition house, which was relatively unknown compared to the society's Eighth Street facility.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr, who lives near the Nanaimo Street house, said that just goes to show how well it was run.
"It was completely integrated into our community," he said. "You didn't even know it existed."
The facility is a second-stage home where clients who have completed the recovery program can stay until they get back on their feet, Puchmayr added,
"It has been flawless in our community. There has been zero impact from it," he said.
Three days after Collet was killed, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced charges had been laid in connection to the murder. Steven Rogers, 25, was arrested at a home in New Westminster on Sept. 17. He appeared in court Friday where he was formally charged with second degree murder.
This was not a random attack, as Collet and Rogers, who is not known to police, knew each other prior to the incident. Further details aren't being released at this time and likely won't be disclosed until the case goes to trial.
Rogers is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 8.
A memorial service for Collet will be held on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Serbian Cultural Centre at 7837 Canada Way in Burnaby.
Collet's family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Last Door Recovery Society through its website at www.lastdoor.org or at the service.
"(Collet) leaves behind a large grieving family who have appreciated the overwhelming love and support the New Westminster community has shown them," the Last Door statement read. "(His family) is pleased to know that others saw and appreciated Jason as much as them."
