Two decades have passed since a selfless act of responsibility turned to tragedy in Sherwood Park, yet the memory of Shane Rolston continues to bring people together in an annual tradition of remembrance and community healing.
A Life Cut Short While Helping Others
On November 19, 2005, seventeen-year-old Shane Rolston—affectionately known as 'Smiles' to those who knew him—was volunteering as a designated driver for his high school peers when violence abruptly ended his young life. The Bev Facey Community High School student had just completed dropping off friends after a house party when he received additional requests for rides home.
Shane returned to the party to pick up more friends, answering the door to find four individuals who had been earlier ejected from the gathering. The confrontation turned violent when one of them struck Shane in the head with a weapon. He succumbed to his injuries in hospital, leaving behind a devastated family and community.
Transforming Grief Into Lasting Tradition
In the twenty years since the tragedy, Shane's family and friends have maintained a remarkable commitment to honoring his memory. What began as immediate mourning has evolved into an annual November 19 vigil that now serves as both memorial and reunion for those whose lives he touched.
Through fundraising efforts led by the Erickson family, close friends of the Rolstons, a permanent memorial bench was installed at Bev Facey Community High School. This physical tribute has become the focal point for yearly gatherings where participants release balloons with personal messages, hold candlelight vigils, and increasingly in recent years, introduce their own children to the young man known for his ever-present smile.
"He was always smiling," reflects his mother, Anita Bleackley. "I often wonder where he would be in his life now. I think he would be married and have his own children. A lot of people cared for him and he is well remembered in a lot of people's hearts."
Evolving Memorial Traditions
The annual remembrance has adapted over time while maintaining its core purpose of honoring Shane's memory. Recent years have seen the introduction of new traditions that blend seasonal elements with personal tribute.
"We still gather every year," Bleackley explains. "Shane's dad Kelly brings an artificial tree and we set it up in a planter. That's been a tradition for a few years. We'll have hot chocolate, cookies or doughnuts and we'll catch up with anyone who stops by. I think we'll light a candle for him as well. There's still lots of students, family and friends who remember."
The Christmas tree decoration with messages for Shane has become a cherished part of the memorial, symbolizing how his legacy continues to grow and adapt through the years.
The legal aftermath saw Shane's killer plead guilty to manslaughter and receive a four-year prison sentence. The three other individuals involved received two-year conditional sentences. While the justice system delivered its ruling, the Rolston family faced the profound challenge of moving forward while honoring their son and brother.
"We had to continue on," Bleackley acknowledges, referring to the need to support Shane's siblings—Andrea, who was in Grade 9 at the time, and Derek, who had just begun university. "That was the biggest thing, they still needed that, as hard as it was for them as well."
Artistic tributes have also played a role in preserving Shane's memory. A memorial painting created by Cathy Sargent features an inscription that captures his enduring spirit: "His journey here was short yet profound. Truth and laughter were anchored in his inherently good nature, demonstrating that the dark elements of the world cannot break down your resolve and dedication."
Two decades after his tragic death, Shane 'Smiles' Rolston's legacy continues to demonstrate the power of community, the importance of remembrance, and the enduring impact of one young man's kind nature. His annual memorial stands as testament to the fact that while a life may be tragically shortened, its influence can continue to grow through those who remember.
