Thomas J. Collins Born July 15 1997 in Bethpage New York Passed on September 11 2021 In Sebring Florida Thomas was a beautiful young man who struggled with the challenges of autism his entire life. Thomas grew up enjoying time spent with his big sister and cousins when they attended family playgroups together. He never forgot the special memories they made and formed lifelong bonds with them all. As a young boy, Thomas attended many schools in Long Island New York for children with special needs, including Jamaica Avenue BOCES in Painview and Developmental Disabilities Institute in Smithtown. He later moved to New Milford Connecticut with his family where he attended The Connecticut Center for Child Development (CCCD) in Milford. Later, he attended Ben Haven School in Wallingford. Thomas made many friends and touched many lives everywhere he went. As Thomas became older, he moved into a home in Connecticut where he lived with four other boys with autism. There he made many friends among his peers and participated in activities such as Special Olympics. After several years, this placement for Thomas no longer could meet his very special needs. There was no other place near home that could help him, despite the strong advocacy of his family. Thomas was accepted at a facility in Florida where there were many hopes of a better living arrangement for him. There he made many new friends and became very loved by all he encountered, as he did his entire life. His Mother and Father purchased a home nearby so he would have a home to visit his family. Soon after, he became afflicted with a very rare form of cancer. By the time it was diagnosed he was already in stage 4 and there was no treatment available that could stop the cancer. People from all around came to the family home to visit him in Florida, where Thomas was being cared for and was living.

He was such a bright and special boy, and each visit brought so much joy to him! He received video messages and countless letters from loved ones and friends whom he touched throughout his short life. Thomas had a love for the children’s program “Blues Clues” and his favorite episodes included those starring Steve! He even received special messages from his childhood idol! Thomas wanted to be just like Steve. He would draw so happily in his “Handy Dandy Notebook” and probably went through about 1000 crayons in a week! Imagine his surprise when the ultimate gift came to his house… a real “Thinking Chair” made special just for him! A gift from all who knew and loved him! Thomas colored in those notebooks everyday, everywhere! He watched Blues Clues all the time! And because he was non-verbal, he used the program Blues Clues to help him communicate with others… even on his last day, he used the ending song called “The So Long Song” to say goodbye to his family. Thomas was survived by his loving Mother, Maureen Collins, his loving Father, Thomas C. Collins, and his loving Sister, Alexa Collins. He left a mark on this world that many will never forget. But he has left one especially on the hearts and souls of his family who never gave up trying to help him along. He will be missed by all who knew him. To have known him was to love him. He was just the kind of person who touched your soul. Rest In Peace Dear Thomas. You will always be loved by all. We will look for you in the rainbows!