Gavin Collins

Essex — Gavin Alden Collins, 16, of Essex, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2017.

He was born Sept. 15, 2000, in Fayetteville, N.C., to his loving parents, Tasha and Trevor Collins. Gavin was always an honor student, excelled at playing the cello and bass, and participated in youth baseball and was a power hitter. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, laser tag, whiffle ball, and trying new restaurants with his family. He was an avid reader, a PC gaming enthusiast and a budding engineer who loved building and taking things apart.

He and his family lived for 10 years in Gilbert, Ariz. before moving to Essex in 2013. While living in Arizona, he and his sister spent part of each weekend with his devoted maternal grandparents, Robert and Rozanne Bernstein of Scottsdale, Ariz. He and his sister travelled with his Bop and Amum (names he gave them) to the Grand Canyon, Mexico, Kartchner Caverns, San Diego and its zoo, Sedona, the Biosphere near Tucson, and Flagstaff Arizona’s Lowell Observatory, where the planet Pluto was discovered. Gavin and Leah were the light of their grandparents’ lives.

In addition to his devoted parents, Tasha and Trevor of Essex, Gavin is survived by his loving sister, Leah Collins; his maternal grandparents, Robert and Rozanne Bernstein of Scottsdale, Ariz.; his maternal grandmother, Carole Otto of Deep River; and his paternal grandparents, Michael Collins of South Carolina and Victoria Collins of California. He is also survived by his loving uncle and aunt, Evan and Heidi Bernstein of Stamford; his uncle and aunt, Stanley and Karen Bernstein of Plymouth, Mass.; his uncle, John James III; and aunts, Terisa James and Denise Grant.

Gavin was a kind, intelligent, thoughtful young man. He was curious, talented, very smart, wise, and a joy to be with. His entire family is heartbroken and he will be loved and missed forever.

Services were private. Maiorano Funeral Home in Waterbury was entrusted to assist the family with arrangements.