Obituary of Alexander O'Toole

SCHENECTADY- Alexander O’Toole was born in Stockbridge, GA on January 25, 2003. He grew up outside of Atlanta and in his early teens was a member of the wrestling team, was a soloist with his school chorus and active in 4-H. At 14, he was the youngest member of the Oxford, GA Parks Committee. Alex developed and taught a STEM camp for children at the Washington Street Community Center in Covington, GA. Formerly a segregated school for people of color, the mission of this community center inspired Alex to advocate for justice and equality. Alex founded the first LGBTQ student organization at his high school as no such support existed and fought to ensure gender neutral bathrooms were provided. Alex graduated from Newton County High School with a 4.1 GPA and attended Georgia State University remotely during the pandemic. At 18, Alex relocated to Schenectady, NY to live with his paternal grandmother. Alex had a green-thumb and loved working with plants. He found working Faddegon’s Nursery to be an ideal fit. He was to be promoted to the green house after the summer season and enjoyed both the work and the friendships made there. Art, music, and writing were important to Alex, and he expressed himself authentically through these media. Alex was accepted at State University of New York at Schenectady and had plans on transferring to Cornell to pursue a career in either horticulture or medicine. Alex passed unexpectedly on September 8, 2021, at Ellis Hospital. He was surrounded by his father, and paternal grandfather and grandmother. He is survived by his brother, James Thomas O’Toole, mother, Andrea Stewart of Covington, GA; father, Jason O’Toole of Andover, MA; grandparents Ray and Glenda Stewart of Oxford, GA; grandfather, Tim O’Toole of Albany; grandmother, Christine O’Connor of Schenectady; godfather, Dr. Edgar Henriques of Menands, and the friends and chosen family who were so special to him. A celebration of life will be announced when the date is known.