It’s time to pull together and remember the positive, said chief enforcement officer Doug Rodwell, following the sudden and unexpected death last week of Jason Neil, a bylaw officer in Jasper.

Neil was 36 years old. Originally from Fredericton, he moved to Jasper in August from Lake Louise where he was head of security for the Fairmont hotel. 

Though new to the town, the friendly father of two had formed a bond with his colleagues. “It’s a tragic loss on so many levels,” Rodwell said. Neil’s children, daughter Kallie and son Jayden, live outside Jasper.

Rodwell first met Neil while interviewing for the bylaw officer position. “He stood out heads above everybody else,” Rodwell said, adding he thought Neil was really beginning to settle in to his new surroundings. “I think he rather enjoyed it here, he was establishing himself in the community.”

Looking ahead, Rodwell said it’s important for those who knew Neil or feel affected by his death to seek assistance in coming to terms with it. “Time heals all wounds, as well as a strong support network,” he said. “Those sorts of things are what help with an incident like this.”

Verne Balding, director of Corporate and Legislative services, said because Neil worked for the town, community outreach would be in touch with municipal employees to help address their emotions. 

Balding called Neil a great guy with a great sense of humour. “Jason, from the moment we met him came across as decent, honourable, a very bright and capable young man,” he said. “We felt very lucky to have been able to attract him to Jasper.”

Neil’s death came as a shock “to all of us”, Balding said. The last time they spoke, Neil chatted about plans for the winter and getting a pass to the ski hill.

Neil Kronborg, of Winnipeg, said he recalls Neil joking around all the time as the two worked together as security personnel in Lake Louise. “He’d go on something pretty funny and just make you laugh,” Kronborg said in a phone interview Monday. “He was always smiling and cheerful for the most part.”

Neil’s love of football stood out. “I was always over at his place playing Madden (a football video game),” Kronborg said, adding he remembers Neil’s support. “He was always there to give a helping hand or advice, always there with a big smile.”

A memorial for Neil will be held Friday, Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. at the Jasper Activity Centre.