The Twin Cities community is grieving the sudden and unexpected passing of Colin Cureton, a Saint Paul resident remembered as a connector, innovator, father, and friend whose death this past week has left a wide circle of colleagues and loved ones in shock.
Cureton was known across Minnesota’s environmental and sustainability community as someone who brought people together and pushed for meaningful change.
Friends and former classmates describe him as a man whose warmth and intellect left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.
A Friendship Forged at Carleton
Among those paying tribute is a college friend who met Cureton at Carleton College, a place he described as defined by privilege and power, one that was not always easy to navigate as a first-generation student of color.
He credited Cureton with helping him feel like he belonged there, recalling their shared interest in philosophy and martial arts, and the natural bond they formed as politically engaged progressives.
After graduation, their paths split when Cureton moved to Japan before eventually returning to the Twin Cities.
Despite the distance, the two stayed close, sharing barbecues and sushi dinners over the years. His friend wrote that he would carry forward his memories of Cureton’s intelligence, his love of dance, his discipline in martial arts, and his ability to hold powerful people accountable through sharp, thoughtful questions.
Another close friend from college echoed that sentiment, saying she learned of Cureton’s death after reaching out to wish him a happy Father’s Day, only to discover he had already passed.
She described him as someone whose presence radiated light and hope, and remembered him as a man unafraid to dance, asking that others try to carry forward the same spark he brought into the world.
She offered prayers for his son, his partner, and the wider community that loved him.
Remembered as a Devoted Father and Partner
Perhaps the most personal tribute came from a woman identified as Jenny, who shared a relationship with Cureton that spanned almost six years, including a period of marriage that ended in a divorce neither of them wanted.
Despite that chapter, the two remained each other’s closest confidants, continuing to build a family life that included Cureton’s son, Leo. The three of them shared traditions, including playful routines they called their adventures as a family.
Jenny described their bond as one that evolved over time but never faded, writing that love expands and changes shape even as people grow in different directions.
She recalled that just weeks before his death, Cureton had walked with her in the early morning as she processed the loss of her own father, the two of them listening to the sounds of the river together.
Friends say Cureton spent much of his time working toward a better world, planting trees, tending to soil, and teaching his son to do the same. Those who knew him say he embodied the kind of patience and care every child deserves in a father.
As word of his passing spreads, tributes continue to pour in from across Minnesota, painting a picture of a man whose impact reached far beyond his professional accomplishments.
Colin Cureton is remembered not only for his work in sustainability but for the light, humor, and depth of connection he brought to everyone fortunate enough to know him.
