Family Of Alexander Wright Pay Tribute To His Memory
Wednesday September 10, 2008
The parents of a soil engineer who died when the trench he was working in collapsed have described him as the ‘ideal son’.
Alexander Wright, 27, from Cheltenham, had been working on a building site in Brimscombe Lane, Brimscombe, at around 5pm on Friday September 5 when the collapse occurred.
Speaking from the family home in Capel Lane, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Joseph and Shelley Wright, Alex’s parents, paid tribute to their son – a diligent student and keen sportsman.
"We are absolutely devastated. He was the best kid you could ever have” said Joseph, 55.
“He was hard-working, and graduated with a degree in geology from Imperial College, London. He put his degree to good use and was very involved in the community. He was very giving.”
Joseph described how, when Alex had been studying for his degree, his younger brother, Adam, 24, had fallen seriously ill.
“Alex and his brother were like best friends. When his brother was ill he came home every single weekend,” he said.
“He was really family orientated and couldn't do enough for his family and those around him.
“When he left college he worked in London for a time. He liked it, but he eventually moved back because he wanted to be closer to his family.”
Mum Shelley, 52, said: "I don't know how we will manage without him. If he could do anything for anybody he would.
"He had been with his partner Maz for some time, and in the last few months he had been so happy.
“He has always been fascinated by geology. I think everything he did has been linked from his childhood when he used to collect different types of rocks and stones. He was very focused from the start on what he wanted to be.”
Shelley added: “He loved the outdoors and was a great climber, caver and kayaker, and an enthusiastic surfer. “
Alex, who had worked for Cotswold Geotech Ltd as a soil engineer for more than two years, was also an assistant Scout leader with the Charlton Kings Scout Troop.
He went to Balcarras School as a teenager and to Bournside School 6th Form for his A-Levels.
He graduated from Imperial College London in 2002.
Alex’s best friend James Evans, 28, who has been supporting the Wrights since Alex’s death, said he would sorely miss his childhood companion.
“We were friends from the age of six and we did everything together. Everyone knew us as a comedy duo.
“He was the one with the brains. When it came to technology I always used to rely on him.”
Alex’s girlfriend Marleen Duijm, known as ‘Maz’ to friends and family, said: “We had a very strong relationship. We had been together for nine months but it felt like much longer.
“He was a lovely and very special man.”