My deepest condolences to the family and many friends he had . My memories have lasted a lifetime he was kind beautiful soul in our high years he helped me through some of my toughest times . You will be missed but remembered for the light you brought all of us . It’ll just be from the heavens . 

I was (and am still) so sad to hear of Colin's passing. I was at the Opera School when Colin was also a student, and I have such fond memories of sharing the stage there with him in The Threepenny Opera, Paul Bunyan and A Midsummer Night's Dream, as well as with the COC as a member of the chorus. He was such a wise and gentle soul, as well as a wonderful artist and colleague. The first time I heard 'Voilà donc la terrible cité' from Massenet's Thaïs was him singing it in our French diction class with Stuart Hamilton. He was amazing. I also remember him singing 'They All Laughed' and being so impressed at his range and versatility. My sincere condolences to Juniper, his family, friends, and all who love him. Rest in peace, Colin.

Our condolences on Colin's passing. Dimple & I knew him at Middle House, Victoria University, UofT many years ago.  I recall the sound of his tenor as he practised and we treasury the memory of the life he brought to the house.  He will be missed.Twig & Dimple

So many emotions I feel right now. Today is the first I heard of this tragedy. Colin was a dear friend. So many many memories at University, in residence, my wedding party, the Canadian Opera Company. 

Colin was a pivotal friend that brought out the best in everyone. He nurtured my relations with Dini, nurtured my singing as a great colleague, and always there as a superior friend. 

I feel extremely guilty that the hustle and bustle of life, career, kids didn’t nurture  the great friendship we had. 

I will miss Colin.  I will miss his voice and I will miss his fine beautiful soul. We will meet again my dear one and we will sing about it all.  Rest easy and give my love to our lord. 

My condolences to Juniper, Maurice and Beth and the entire family. 

I am deeply saddened to hear that Colin has passed away and also that i found out too late to attend his memorial. Colin was a good friend through our formatine years in Thornhill and i still fondly recall driving out to Cawthra Park to see him perform and move up from chorus to lead over his time there.  

Colin was a really nice person with a hood heart and i am proud and honoured to have known him  way back when. I am sorry to hear that his light has gone out in this world and hope it continies into the next. May his memory be eternal. 

Best wishes to all of you. 

Colin Cieszynski and family

Some people possess a kindness and gentle quality that can sometimes leave them too sensitive to the world. I believe that was Colin. His earth's mission was to cause the rest of us to remember our caring, sensitive natures. He inspired us all. 

It was heartening, and hardly surprising, to see so many in attendance for Colin's celebration of life. I just need to add a note about the impact Colin has had on my life. We were great friends during formative years at St. Robert's High School in Thornhill. We ate lunch together almost every day. Laughed a ton. He chided me so mercilessly about unkempt nose hair and eyebrows that, to this day, I hear his voice when I look in the mirror and spot a stray hair. When he announced he was transferring to Cawthra Park Arts School in Mississauga, I had that death-in-the-family feeling. But we remained good friends and continued to spend a lot of time together, united by our shared love of music and singing. We went to many shows, concerts and movies: Phantom of the Opera and Les Mis, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and live jazz at Top of the Senator. I went to see him perform in Guys and Dolls and Kismet at Cawthra Park, and was blown away at how he was growing as a singer and performer. He set an example of dedication to artistry that would inspire me to pursue a graduate degree in music on the guitar. He taught me so much, as well, about singing technique. I remember well the conversations we had about chest voice, head voice, falsetto, breath support, vowels, placement, projection and other things. He knew his craft. In my 20's, inspired by his example, I took voice lessons and improved so much that I managed to pay my living expenses during grad school by singing in church choirs.  He loved and was so proud of his family, of his dad's upholstery business, George's drumming, Chris' tireless work in restaurants. He was sensitive to their struggles and always ready to boast of their virtues. I now have three sons, and love and take pride in them, inspired in no small way by Colin's example. Somehow, he made my entire life a richer and better one with just those few years of close friendship. God bless and keep you Colin. I have to believe, brother, we will laugh and sing together again.

Dear Juniper and Colin's Family and Friends,

I am deeply sorry for your loss. The virtual celebration of Colin's life was truly beautiful, and it was heartwarming to hear the stories and memories shared by those who loved him. Thank you for allowing me to bear witness to such a meaningful tribute. My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

With heartfelt condolences,

Robyn 

Dear juni. I am so terribly SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. There are no words to say you did have a beautiful life together sharing different vacations and creating beautiful memories. Juni I pray that God gives you the strength to carry on. I wish I was there holding you like you did for me when uncle Sal died. But spiritually I am holding and praying for you. God bless you. Please come and see me when you’re ready. I’d love you with all my heart Aunt Rosebud. Send.

Dear Maurice, Beth, Chris & family. I am so so very sorry to hear about Colin.... I am so shocked. Way back when you guys came to Ireland many many years ago, I had the complete pleasure of meeting you all including Colin. We had some fun times over here. And then you welcomed me into your home for a couple of weeks too - I had the best time. Colin was such a lovely human being - so funny. I was so glad to get to know him. What a talent he had. I remember getting straight off the plane and going to see him in the Sound Of Music. He introduced me to many types of music - some I still listen to.  He was a sweet gentle soul. We kept in touch for a wee while via letters but as it so often happens, time moved on and life got in the way but he often crossed my mind. Reading all the lovely messages of condolences from everyone, I can see how much he touched many people throughout his too short life. I am thinking of you all at this sad time and may his gentle wee soul Rest In Peace. Much love Suzanne xx

When we first encountered Colin it was obvious that he loved Juniper deeply and she he. He was always kind and respectful to Angela and I, and generous with his energy for sharing tasks involved in the interactions we had at family gatherings.

With the passage of time his suffering became evident. Angela and I have been involved with Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism since before Colin was born. When he asked for help we counseled him ourselves Then many years ago  brought him to a well-known Tibetan Lama in Toronto, with whom we participated in a ritual ceremony that could be compared to what we in the west might call 'soul retrieval' - purifying karmas and integrating the damaged components of the being's psyche.

Tibetans have a saying for when a Guru dies that is also applicable to individuals [like Colin]. The death is called 'an obstacle blessing'. It is an Obstacle for the Guru's students - because of 'their loss, of their Guru'. But it is a Blessing for the Guru, because they get to start out fresh, with a new young body full of energy and the ability to clear past karmic defilements..."

So view Colin's death in this way - as a Blessing for him. Dedicate your Meritorious Actions in everyday life to benefit the evolution of what was 'Colin's Consciousness' - in whatever form it will next manifest...

This is posted here with love for Juni, with compassion, and great empathy for her and Colin's family and friends.

The very first piece of staging I was given in my time at the Opera Division was in Threepenny Opera – if I recall, it was during the overture, I was a body, lying somewhere upstage, and Colin entered as Mackie Messer, gave me a nudge with his foot so I would roll downstage, like a log. I remember that first rehearsal really vividly for two reasons: first was the fact that I had come from work that day wearing a black suit, so I spent the 90 minutes of the rehearsal as a lint brush for the floor of the T-room; but the other was the grace, patience and fun Colin brought to bear as we did our bit over and over again while Michael put together all the other bits of the crowd scene – it meant a lot to me, still feeling very much the nervous newbie.

Opera School friends at the Duke

Colin & Sebastian

I was so shocked and sad to read about Colin‘s passing. My thoughts are with you all.

Colin - costume touch-up before Britten's Midsummer Night's Dream

The Best man with our Maid of Honour, Tonya

Colin and the ladies (Maria, Karen and Vilma)

Sharing a laugh and a pint!

The Best Man with Mary Bella

Backstage before Chabrier's "L'etoile"

Dear Maurice, Beth, George, Gigi and Chris our deepest sympathies to you all . We will be thinking of you and Colin on Saturday , 

Tom & Janet & family 

Rest in peace Cousin 

Dear Maurice & Beth

 I am at a loss for words to say, only that the world is a lesser place without Colin,  such a gentle soul as I remember him on his last visit to Ireland.  You could not, but like Colin as he had a charisma about him when he walked into a room.

He was loved by our family and such a big loss to everyone  who  knew him.  May he rest in Peace.  We hope that God will give you the strength in this so sad and difficult time.  He is up there now with our other angels Mam and Viv.  They will look after him.

You will all be in our thoughts & prayers on Saturday  

 Lots of Love  Gerry, Muriel, Keith & Jennifer X