Date Posted : June 15, 2026
in : News and Events
An unimaginable tragedy struck the All Roads family on Saturday, June 13, 2026. We lost a dear friend and colleague, Sheldon Korell, our asphalt foreman. He was only 33 years old.
Sheldon Korell: 1993 - 2026
When we received the heartbreaking news in the early hours of Sunday morning, we immediately shut down our asphalt plant operations and came together for an impromptu gathering. Before long, we were joined by Sheldon's parents, Darcy and Nicole Korell, his sister Meagan, and his girlfriend Vanessa. As the summer temperature climbed above 32°C, so did the emotions of those who knew and loved him.
To all of us, Sheldon was a dependable and respected colleague. To some, he was their closest friend.
"I have a lot to say, but I don't think I can today," said Mario Kutle in a subdued voice. Kyler Booth, another close friend, stood quietly nearby, sharing the same sentiment. "I'd love to talk about him, but I just can't yet."
These men are known for their confidence and composure, yet on this day, simply standing before others required extraordinary strength. That is what grief does. It humbles us all.
Denis Labelle, our Vice President of Operations, bravely broke the silence. Fighting back his emotions, he spoke about Sheldon's unwavering commitment to his crew.
"I don't know how many times he came to management and said, "Hey, this isn't fair to my crew. My guys need this, and they need that.' He was always looking out for his people," Denis recalled. "We've changed many things for the better because of him."
Standing beside him was Max Spedding, our Director of Field Operations. He, too, struggled through tears as he reflected on Sheldon's larger-than-life personality and the bright future that lay ahead of him.
"I'm sorry, Darcy and Nicole, that we are meeting under these circumstances," Max said. "But I hope you can find some comfort in knowing how respected and well-liked Sheldon was by all of us."
One of the most touching memories came from Monica, the wife of our paving foreman, Jeff Berglind.
Their daughter had special bond with Sheldon as he took a brotherly interest in brightening her days. From time to time, he would pick her up and take her out for dinner, letting her order whatever she wanted. He would bring her chocolate eggs—normally not allowed at home, except when they came from Sheldon. Every Valentine's Day, without fail, he showed up with flowers and a gift just for her.
When Sheldon bought his new truck, one of the very first things he did was call Jeff's daughter, pick her up, and take her for a drive.
As Monica shared these memories, there was hardly a dry eye among those gathered around her.
Tre Spedding, a Paving Crew Foreman and one of Sheldon's closest friends, said that although his heart is broken, the memories they shared have given him a new perspective on life and a deeper appreciation for the time we have together.
Tre reflected on the qualities that made Sheldon unforgettable:
"You were definitely a badass, and that's exactly what made you who you were."
After a long pause, he added:
"I love you, Sheldon, and I'll see you one day, my friend."
While our hearts are heavy, we can take some comfort in knowing that on his final day, Sheldon was doing something he truly loved—riding his motorcycle, surrounded by friends and his girlfriend. It was a reflection of who he was: a man who lived life fully, embraced every moment, and found joy in the things that mattered most.
His passing is a powerful reminder of how precious and fragile life can be. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. We can honor Sheldon's memory by living with the same passion, determination, generosity, and appreciation for life that he demonstrated every day.
Rest easy, Brother.
You will be missed beyond words, remembered always, and carried with us wherever the road leads.