An obituary has been released for 27-year-old Javon Bryce, one of the two men killed in the Dec. 20 double murder at the Travelodge Hotel.
The obituary said he was the spouse of Brooke Smith and father to his daughter, Nevaeh, and stepdaughter, Lexie.
Providing care and attention to Bryce in his formative years was Frances Newby, who loved him dearly, along with his birth parents Kimberly Nollmeyer and Shawn Bryce, said the obituary.
He is also survived by his brothers, sisters, many aunts, uncles, cousins, who provided much love and support to him in the past years.
“A genuine loving person, he was always willing to go above and beyond by giving the shirt off his back to anyone in need,” said the obituary.
“Javon Bryce will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and fans in the Toronto and Sudbury area.”
According to the obituary, Bryce “an upcoming artist and accomplished songwriter who displayed such intense talent. He enjoyed playing basketball and attending the music studios, but he preferred being in the presence of his loving family.”
Another Sudbury media outlet reports that Bryce was well known in rap circles in Sudbury.
No funeral information for Bryce has yet been released. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, said the obituary. Cremation services are being provided by Simple Wishes of the North.
A GoFundMe has been set up in support of Brooke Smith, the mother of Bryce’s daughter.
“Javon was a talented musician who was well known in the Sudbury music scene and a skilled basketball player who played in charity events,” said the GoFundMe campaign page.
“Most importantly, he was a devoted family man. As Brooke would say, he was the world's greatest father.
“Words aren't enough to express the sorrow we are feeling for Brooke and her girls while she tries to navigate this loss. As a single mother, it's hard enough to keep up with expenses, especially at this time of year. And now Brooke has the unexpected costs that come along with losing the love of her life.
“We would like to raise enough money to help Brooke pay for the costs of Javon's memorial as well as carry her and her girls through this holiday season.”
The other man killed in the Dec. 20 double murder was 38-year-old Matthew Saroka, who was also a local musician. Saroka was the lead guitarist for the local band Harvey King and the Grindstone.
