IM: WHUSDJ
CURRENT SHOW
The Transfer Station
Jim Fuery, Mark Longo and Ed Nowakowski join me at 7:00 p.m. EST on Christmas Eve for a special Home For Christmas episode of Caffeine Bomb, dedicated to the memory of our friend, David Collier.
David Collier's memorial service was the first time in more than 25 years that Mark, Jim, Ed and I were together in the same place, at the same time. That day we were pretty much the last people to leave. When we did, it was agreed that we did not want the next time all four of us were together to be one of our own funerals.
Since then we've been together for dinner, football games, concerts, and remarkably we immediately fell back into a camaraderie that had been dormant for far too long.
Maybe the reasons are different for each of us, but now, at this point in each of our lives, I really think the four of us needed to find each other again.
I told Dave's wife, Shonya, that we wanted to do this show together. She said, “I know he loved you guys and would be pleased that you're all hanging out together.”
He was our friend, and we will not forget him. We are blessed, especially tonight on Christmas Eve, with this amazing gift that somehow Dave Collier, the superhero, made sure all of us found our way home.
David B. Collier
August 21, 1967 ~ July 25, 2012
Mystic, Connecticut
David Beebe Collier, 44, died July 25, 2012 at Camp Yawgoog in Hopkinton, R.I.
His family will receive friends Friday, August 3rd from 4-7 pm at the Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1 Mystic (51 Williams). A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 4th at 9:00 am, also at the Mystic Funeral Home. Funeral celebrant Patricia A. Moody will officiate.
David was born August 21, 1967 in Concord, MA to Jean and Dana Collier.
David was a beloved father and husband who gave his time generously to a vast array of organizations including his son’s Boy Scout troop; his local American Mensa chapter, where he served as Corporate Counsel, LocSec, and test proctor; the Manchester Police & Fire Bagpipe Band; New England Historic and Genealogical Society.
He provided guidance and mentorship to hundreds of our youth as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 76 in Mystic, CT; a Cubmaster for Pack 4 in Norwich, CT; as a Venturing Crew Advisor; and as a merit badge counselor. Dave completed his Wood Badge training in NE-II-192 and was a member of the Fox Patrol and the Order of the Arrow.
David was quick to laugh and smile, debate, and share his strong opinions on any subject. He played the bagpipes and was a big fan of comic books, gaming, and so many other things. He touched absolutely everyone he came in contact with.
He was an Attorney who had published several articles for various legal journals and did an extensive amount of pro bono work. He also served as Digital Project Leader at FM Global in Johnston, R.I. Prior to his career, David was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a graduate of the class of 1985 at N.F.A. and earned his B.S. in Computer Science and B.A. in Business Administration, with minors in Finance and Physical Science at Eastern Connecticut State University. He earned his Juris Doctorate at the University of Connecticut.
David is survived by his loving wife Shonya (Kowal) Collier, daughter, Isabella and son, Gager; his sisters, Margaret Blumie and her husband, Steve, and their daughter, Jean Rynaski; Harriet Fairbanks and her son, Tyler; his brothers, Dana Collier, Isham Collier and Forrest Collier and his sons, Joblin and Charlie Younger and Christopher and Jamie Collier. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Zeno Kowal of Wethersfield, CT; his mother-in-law, Barbara Kowal of Groton, CT and his sisters-in-law, Gretchen Oppy and her husband, Brian and their daughter, Madeline Chesbro; and Alexis Tattersall and her husband, George, and their son, George. He is predeceased by his parents, Jean and Dana Collier of Norwich, CT.
Link to the transcript of David Collier's Celebration Of Life memorial service: