Colby MARSHALL

MARSHALL, Colby  July 20, 1994 – November 6, 2017 

In order to gain entrance into the Great Hall of Valhalla, a warrior must die a noble death against a worthy opponent. Colby spent years battling himself, and even though he died in battle, he fought a damn good fight, and earned his seat in the Great Hall. 

Colby was born in Chilliwack on July 20,1994 to his loving parents and two siblings, as the youngest of the clan. His drive to explore, climb, create, and destroy were encouraged from a very young age and shaped who he became as a young adult. From his first set of curtains traversed at 2, to the climbing wall he built with a friend at 22, his passions never took the passenger seat. 

In Colby’s younger years, he found refuge in the mountains and the lakes. He built and rode downhill mountain bike trails on any slope he could find, both on Vancouver Island and on the Mainland. Fishing on his belly boat at 100 Mile House with his Cousin Tyson and his Uncle Bob was an annual tradition he carried into his adult years. Colby was very high energy and always had a variety of ever changing outlets at his disposal, including but not limited to: softball, judo, acro and the destruction of wordly goods. 

Colby was passionate about understanding the inner workings of EVERYTHING. From printers and bikes, to variously sized engines and guitars, he took it all apart. At some point, he even started putting them back together too. This passion for creation and destruction carried him through school and into the welding program at Camosun College, from which he started his career at 18. After completing his first year, he gained employment with Imperial Welding, who supported him in continuing his education at BCIT until he earned his Red Seal. After 5 years with Imperial Welding, he moved on to Umbrella Welding. His ultimate goal was to complete the mechanical engineering program. Between schooling, career, and various passions he rarely took a break.

Colby’s drive for improvement shone through into every aspect of his life; he always pushed himself further. Whether it was a more difficult song to play on the guitar, a new instrument to learn, a harder rock to climb, a more complicated obstacle course to traverse in a wheelchair, or a best time to beat on the back roads to Duncan. Colby always told it exactly as it was, and he never compromised his beliefs for the sake of anyone else’s. Not only did he not fit in the box, he broke it and rebuilt it “more gooder”, and with no opening sides, but with something in it for everyone to wonder about indefinitely. Colby found himself breaking most “unbreakable” things, and in doing so, continued to strive for a new standard of excellence: Colby-Proof. 

Awaiting his arrival to Asgard are his Oma, Grandpa, and of course Jazz and Tikka. 
Here in Midgard awaiting the day we can shotgun a beer together again are: his parents Suzanne and Brad, siblings Zache, and Ashley (Bruce) with Astrid and Archer, as well as Nana & Opa Jansen and Nana Marshall.  Colby also has a very large and eclectic group of friends and extended family and loved ones. 
Colby, there is no doubt you were welcomed into Valhalla with honor and we all take comfort in your presence there, drinking and sharing stories with other warriors like yourself. May the great fires of Valhalla burn brighter with you there; your impact on this world will not be soon forgotten.  We miss you.

To pay your respects to Colby, you may do so on Saturday November 25, 2017 from 2:00pm at the Chemainus Legion Upstairs Hall, 9775 Chemainus Road. 
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Colby to the Vancouver Island Crisis Line.  
 

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