Steven Charbonneau

Steven was born on April 3rd, 1986 and passed away on
April 2nd, 2025 at the age of 38Steven Alexander Charbonneau, beloved husband of Ashlee, cherished son of Steve and Kay and big Bubby of Hayley (Parker), passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the age of 38 in the comfort of his own home, with his loving wife holding his hand and by his side.
Born on April 3, 1986, in Forsyth County, Alex lived a life filled with an unending sense of curiosity and learning, a thirst for fun and adventure, unfaltering kindness and compassion, and hard work and integrity. Growing up in Cumming, Alex attended Cumming Elementary School, Otwell Middle School, and Forsyth Central High School. His fondest childhood memories were playing in the woods and riding bikes with friends on Wade Valley Way, camping with his dad, and family trips to the beach. Alex was an active member and proud alumnus of the Flash of Crimson Marching Band, where he marched and played trombone from 2000-2004; as a member of the marching band, he was part of an award winning class of musicians and marched in esteemed events such as the Bacchus and Gamma Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans and the London New Years Day parade in London, England. Alex looked back on his years in the band as some of the best of his life, and he cherished the memories, accomplishments, and friendships forged between those hash marks.
Alex attended college at both Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA, and the University of North Georgia in Gainesville, GA, where he pursued his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. After college, however, supply chain is where Alex found his niche. His data-driven and analytical mind, combined with his hardworking personality, led him to a successful career at NCR for over a decade; he began as a temporary repair technician and advanced into a variety of supply-chain roles from purchasing to inventory planning.
Alex reconnected with Ashlee while they were both home for summer break in 2007, and the pair kindled a friendship over that summer that would only continue to deepen over time in both love and respect. By the following fall, Alex and Ashlee began the relationship that would forever change both of them in profound ways. Alex was a reserved, quiet introvert to Ashlee's more gregarious personality, but the bond formed between these two during the early days of their budding friendship laid the foundation for a relationship and marriage built on trust, mutual respect, unconditional love, and a healthy sense of humor. Alex was a kind, supportive, and loving husband. He always pushed Ashlee to chase her dreams and was ready to celebrate every win. Whether it was encouraging her in her career or supporting her random ideas that usually included manual labor, Alex worked tirelessly to be a true partner to Ashlee in all things.
Alex loved exploring the world around him, and planning adventures and trips to take together was one of his favorite things to do. Whether it was a quick mountain getaway, a cross-country trek, or a half-day drive down to Universal, Alex relished in planning these moments together and finding special and unique ways to make every single trip unforgettable.
When Alex was diagnosed with Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma, he faced that diagnosis with the same steadiness, strength, and unwavering courage he exemplified throughout his whole life. Alex chose to learn as much about his disease, his treatment, and how his body would fight it with the help of treatment as he could. He took a measured and methodical approach and decided from day one that he would fight cancer with enthusiasm and hope because doing anything else would let it win. Despite the fear, pain, and darkness that cancer brought with it, that is exactly what he did.
Alex's brave choice to fight his disease head-on, while unsurprising, was a rare and beautiful gift that gave his beloved wife, family, and friends two and a half more years together, full of cherished memories. After a time, both Alex and Ashlee came to have gratitude for the one gift cancer gave them: unabashed permission to stop waiting and start living. Despite the pain and suffering that Alex tried to shield from the view of his loved ones, there was more love, adventure, curiosity, learning, and exploring packed into his last two years than could have been hoped for or dreamed of. Alex spent time in his happiest happy place, Universal Orlando, with Ashlee and many, many loved ones and friends, as well as found time and ways for a couple of mountain cabin getaways, exploring new museums and aquariums in Houston while consulting with MD Anderson, trying new restaurants and recipes, enjoying movies on the big screen, discovering new music, digitally chasing storms, and shining his incredible light, brightly, on the world around him.
Alex (and his loved ones) are so grateful for the compassionate and intelligent care team at Atlanta Cancer Care, led by Dr. Paul Gill and PA Barbara Burke, who not only provided exceptional care throughout his entire journey, but also took the time to get to know and understand Alex and always made sure that his care stayed focused on quality of life. They were quick to remind Alex to continue to live life on his terms, and they were always supportive of his own choice in guiding his cancer journey and treatment regimen. Barbara in particular was beloved by Alex, who never felt like a patient while in her care, but rather a cherished loved one whom she would stop at nothing to help.
His phenomenal team of cancer nurses made a lasting impact on Alex and Ashlee, granting them not just caring medical treatment but warm support and friendship that transcended their work in the infusion suite. Alex loved and respected nurses Tommy, Ella, Mike, Farida, Mary, Leigh, and countless others so much for making his time spent in Infusion fun and bearable, and he always left him feeling seen and human and never like a number. Nurse Abby, who guided Alex through Folfox, arguably his most difficult treatment, became an esteemed friend, and he so looked forward to the notes, cards, and generous and thoughtful gifts she continued to send to him even long after she left ACC.
Alex is survived by his loving wife Ashlee, his parents Steve and Kay Charbonneau, his sister Hayley and her husband Parker, his father and mother-in-law Michael and Kitt Turner, his brother-in-law Mike Turner, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his loving grandparents, Barbara Prairie and Fred C. Hudlow.
A celebration of life will be held at McDonald and Son Funeral Home in Cumming, GA, on Friday April 11th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Alex's desire was for friends and loved ones to come as they are to celebrate the life he lived. His family invites all to come and celebrate Alex with food and fellowship in honor of these final wishes.