I was Colin's 1st manager with AT&T Dispatch, San Ramon, CA.

Colin was a cool dude.  We sporadically stayed in touch after I left California and moved to join AT&T Alabama, but contact faded around 2015.

He crossed my mind today and I am shocked to hear he has transitioned to his new life.

May Colin rest in peace and family find solace in his home going.

I worked with Colin at the AT&T Dispatch Center in San Ramon for over 15 years. The only thing that prevented Colin from arriving early to his shift were the numerous Altamont Pass freeway mishaps that he incurred while on his way into the center from his home in Modesto. 
At best, it was a 60 minute plus commute with no accidents, a long haul. Still, on those mornings with a mishap thrown in that added hours to the commute, Colin took everything in stride with his cool calm self. He would arrive to work unaltered. I admired his ability to let go of things go and move on.

You could depend on Colin to brighten your day with a cheerful greeting and be entertained now and then with a good joke shared in the cubicles. He saw the potential to make a friend with just about anyone. A natural born mediator, he would listen to any gripe or woe you might be feeling and offer his own quiet assessment of the situation, suspending judgement. And there was nearly a tense situation everyday to contend with at the center. He had fortitude.

To lighten the mood, an impromptu potluck would be organized and to no one’s surprise, Colin was first to sign up to bring the main entree. He had timed his favorite recipe for slow cooked ribs by starting them at 3am to serve by noon for his work team. It was so delicious!

The conversations turned to family quite often. He was the ultimate Weekend Warrior! If he wasn’t working on a house project, he was out and about on an adventure with family in tow or cooking up something yummy. I remember when he found the time to become a certified massage therapist, a skill he perfected that brought him and his clients so much joy. 

Colin truly lived his life to the fullest. His unwavering strength of friendship will be remembered fondly. In the past weeks, he shared with me on a video chat; never miss the chance to say “I Love You”,  I think that has stuck with me the most, that tenderhearted phrase he so cherished was at the epitome of his being.   


Rochelle Sutherland

James Yon

Danielle Laranjo

Lakewood Funeral Home & Memorial Park

Colin Sutherland

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Colin Sutherland

18 August, 1952 – 18 September, 2020

Lakewood Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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