Hervey Joseph Colette

Joseph Colette was born in New York City on December 7, 1980. He grew up in Rosedale, Queens. Raised by his late mother, Yanick Colette, his grandpa “zo” Colette, grandma “Andre” Colette, and a whole lot of aunties and adopted uncles. He brought a lot of joy to the Rosedale home. He demonstrated early on that he was intelligent, a leader and a future counselor. “Jean Jean” or “ Hervey” as many of us knew him, was always ready to give advice and seemed to always be able to figure out every problem or find a solution to every situation. He went to Junior High school at the prestigious Kellenberg Memorial in Long Island New York. He was always at the top portion of his class. The family moved to Georgia in the mid nineties. There he continued to serve as a great counselor and helper to his mother and younger brother Randolph. “Jean Jean” graduated high school with honors and went on to attend Emory University on a scholarship. He graduated valedictorian of his class, earning degrees in Political Science and Journalism. He loved writing and reading. That passion led him to earn a position as a Cox Scholar and Intern scholar with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was a staff writer covering national and local news. He eventually pursued his passion for advocacy and counseling by pursuing a Law degree with the University of Georgia School of Law Georgia where he graduated Cum Laude. He began his law practice as an associate with the prestigious Atlanta based firm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell. He continued to practice earning partnership positions at Owen, Gleaton, Egan, Jones & Sweeney, LLP, and his most current firm, Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP, where he was a member of the Government Law National Practice Section. Herve was quiet and reserved among those he did not know. But, among cousins, family members and close friends he was a joy to be with. Extremely adventurous and daring. He suffered sickle cell anemia but it did not limit him to participate in all activities including climbing or hiking some of the highest peaks in the world. He was well traveled and familiar with locations some of us only dream of visiting. He enjoyed parties and getting together with loved ones. He loved basketball and baseball and going to games with Cruz. He was a big foodie. Always knew the new restaurants in any given city he visited. His most precious joy in this world was his son Cruz who he had while married to Yamilee Mckenzie, He was a great father. He spent a lot of time with Cruz and made sure he had a good education, read a lot and was exposed to the finer things this life had to offer. He served as a mentor to all the cousins. His great big eyes will be missed. His infectious smile will also be forever with us. Herve is survived by his son Cruz Colette; his brother Randolph Blaise; his niece, Jaida Blaise; his nephew Justice Blaise; his aunts, Yola Jean-Pierre, Myrtha Colette, and Johanne Colette-Gedin; cousins Darrell St cloud Larrisa Jean-Pierre, Harold St cloud and Alan Blaise and a host of other cousins. Condolences to the Colette family, the blaise family the Jean-Pierre family, the St cloud family, Morency family, the Guilbaud family,, the Bastien Family, the Allonce family, the Gedin family, the Lamothe family and all the other families and friends who loved him, cherished him and will miss him immensely.