It has now been almost two full weeks since we lost a very special one. The wound is nowhere near healed in our hearts, and while I don’t think it ever will be, I can now begin to think critically about this special young man and understand what I really learned from him throughout the years.
Alexander Smollins, also known as Smolly, Smolls, and a slew of other affectionate names to those who knew him, is and continues to be one for the books.
My older brother and I played t-ball with him. I looked up to him in my awkward years as a “scrub” at Culver City Middle School. He was one year my senior, and when I finally got to high school, Alex was a big brother to me.
Wherever he went, he took that infectious smile and warmth with him. After graduation, we both attended Santa Monica College, and my very first semester out of high school, I had the pleasure of taking a History of Rock and Roll course with Alex.
We would always save a seat for one another, and laugh at our quirky professor from the corner nosebleed seats. Alex had this amazing way of making me feel safe and at home.
Everybody knew Alex, and everybody loved Alex. I felt privileged to be able to say that Alex Smollins was a friend of mine.
It was irrelevant that we both were very busy with our own respective lives, jobs, relationships, every single time I would see Alex’s familiar and warm face roaming through the SMC campus, we would take that extra five minutes to hug and touch base.
I will forever cherish these moments I had with him, and will desperately miss these times. He was supportive, charming, and just an honest and true friend.
Even writing these few paragraphs has helped me heal just a little bit more. I will miss him forever.
Caitlin D. Bartlett
I will always remember and cherish the moments we spent growing up together. Getting picked up together by our grandma from school, teaching me how to put his friends in a chokehold and dancing together at every event we went to. He was the best cousin/brother I could have asked for.
Jennifer A. Siegal
I want to express my deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your beautiful son, Alex.
As a mother myself, I have not yet been able to process this information fully. This type of thing just should not happen.
It is my great loss to never have known Alex personally, and I am so sorry my three children didn’t know their cousin. I met Alex a couple of times, but living on opposite coasts just didn’t allow for a close relationship.
However, after seeing the tribute to Alex on Facebook and after watching his memorial service live online and hearing the testimonials by his friends and family, I am astounded by the truly great person he was.
My daughter, Faryn, who recently moved to Los Angeles, was at the memorial service and was bowled over by the support of so many.
Alex has brought together hundreds of people from different walks of life, all of whom loved him. His acceptance of everyone without judgment, is a unique legacy he left, especially to those he touched during his time on earth. He was indeed, a very special young man.
I hope your understanding the joy Alex brought to those around him, will help you find peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Jane Audrey
Our family has know Alex since he was 2 years. I co-coached Alex along with my daughter Karly, in t-ball for 2 years, the team was the Mets.
I watched as Alex and the other children formed friendships that lasted though his lifetime. We got to know Alex and his parents very well.
Alex was a very happy and fun loving youngster. Our family along with hundreds of others will miss Alex and his loving spirit.
Mel Siverts
