Mar 12, 2008
Olivier Poidevin
Family and friends mourn death of Weston teenager
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Olivier Poidevin, a 16-year-old Weston High School junior who loved skateboarding, art, and being with his friends, was found dead of an apparent suicide at his home on Blueberry Hill Road on Saturday, March 8.
Police say when they arrived at the scene, Olivier was not breathing and they found ligature marks around his neck. CPR was administered and he was transported by Weston EMS to Norwalk Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Olivier was the son of Marc and Margaret Poidevin of Weston. His family moved to Weston last year from Las Vegas. His best friend was fellow high school student Trevor Horton.
“Olivier was a wonderful, caring kid with a big heart, who just had a hard time finding his place away from his childhood home of Las Vegas,” his mother said.
On Sunday, March 9, after learnng of Olivier’s death, school administrators convened a high school crisis team with members of the clergy, and the school’s Kids in Crisis counselor, to develop a plan of support for students and staff.
In a letter sent to parents on Monday, March 10, Rose Marie Cipriano, Weston High School principal, said counseling services were available to all students and members of the school community.
On Tuesday, March 11, some of Olivier’s high school friends, the Rev. Bernard Wilson of Norfield Congregational Church, and high school staff members planned a special remembrance service to commemorate Olivier’s life. The service will be held Wednesday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m., in the Weston High School cafeteria.
In a letter to parents of Weston students, John Reed, interim schools superintendent, said, “We have received inquiries from some parents and community members about how to discuss the topic of suicide with their loved ones. We are in the process of arranging some structured opportunities for parents to participate in programs which will address the topic of suicide. We are continuing to remind students that assistance is available and we are reviewing the possibility of arranging for small groups for students to discuss this topic. We anticipate that we will have more details about these opportunities available for you within a few days.”
Olivier had musical ability and taught himself how to play the guitar. His mother said he finished every phone conversation with her by saying, “I love you, mom.”
Besides his parents, Olivier Poidevin is survived by a brother Nicholas, 19, who attends the New England Culinary Institute, and a brother Sidney, 12, a student at Weston Middle School. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Micheline Batrony, of Haiti.
The Poidevin family said they would like to thank the schools and the Weston community for their support.
A wake for Olivier will be held Thursday, March 13, at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Ave., at 81st St., in Manhattan, from 6 to 8 p.m.
A funeral service will be held Friday, March 14, at the Church of St. Thomas More, 65 E. 89th St., at Madison Ave., in Manhattan, at 10:30 a.m.
—Patricia Gay
pgay@theWestonForum.com
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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