Gerald Collins, 83, passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia on May 26, 2021. Gerald is predeceased by his beloved wife, Sadie Lee Payne Collins, his parents Jacob and Elizabeth Collins, and 13 brothers and sisters including his twin sister Geraldine Balling. Gerald is survived by his James “Jim” Collins (Lori), and John Anthony “Tony” Collins; cherished grandchildren, Ashley Waller (Anthony), Daniel Collins, Elizabeth Putnam (Kevin), Steven Holmes (Crystal), Chryston Boyd (Brandon), and Hanna Collins; and great-grandchildren, Bryna, Arya, Cade, Kyleigh, and Dakota; his brother Thomas Collins; and his sisters in law Iris Payne Souder, Lois Walski, and Patricia Marshall.
Gerald will be laid to rest with his beloved Sadie at Quantico National Cemetery on Monday, June 7, 2021 at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont.
On Friday, May 21, 2021, Michael Francis Kirk Hammaker, beloved son, friend, brother, and nephew, passed away. He was 22 years old.
Michael was born on December 2, 1998 in Washington, DC to Catherine Jackman Hammaker and Michael Kirk Hammaker. As a proud student of the University of Virginia, he majored in History and Computer Science, but his hunger for learning, ever insatiable, led him to studies in philosophy, political science, Spanish, South Asian studies, business, economics and beyond.
Making music was one of Michael’s greatest passions in life and the cornerstone of his happiness, and he was prone to breaking into song at any moment. While he had an unmistakable soft spot for classics, he enjoyed nearly every genre, from hip-hop to musical theater. One of his proudest moments was performing his rendition of Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon . His beautiful voice brought joy to so many, and he enjoyed sharing it with others.
When Michael died, he took a part of all of us with him. He was so very loved by his family and friends, and was a constant source of joy, support, intelligent debate and laughter. He greeted us with funny accents and a litany of unique movie and video references; he helped us through life’s trials and tribulations with grace; he challenged us to question our convictions and beliefs; he pushed us to be the best versions of ourselves each and every day. With Michael, you were home.
Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents Jacqueline Price, Wilbur “Kirk” Hammaker and Francis P. Jackman; and his aunt, Ann F.J. Hynes. He is survived by his parents, Catherine and Michael, his sister Janie, and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, June 5 at the National Presbyterian Church on 4101 Nebraska Ave NW Washington, DC 20016. Memorial contributions may be made to the Manna Food Center of Montgomery County, NAMI, or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Andy John Gaspard, 50, passed away on May 22, 2021 in Fairfax, Virginia, following a life defined by love, loyalty and devotion to his family, friends, and fraternity brothers. The youngest of the seven children of Andre and Marie-Antoinette Gaspard (of Petit-Goave, Haiti), Andy epitomizes the American dream.
Andy was born on February 5, 1971, in Nyack, New York, where he graduated from Nyack High School. There, he formed lifelong friendships, including those with members of his rap “crew,” the infamous (so he would say) BNC Posse.
Andy was an accomplished and respected professional with a host of credentials and accolades to his name. He served as Vice President of Information Technology Service Delivery at Peraton Corporation, a position he earned following hard work, perseverance and dedication for over 25 years as an IT executive with Orkand Corporation and Harris Government Solutions. Andy earned countless honors and awards for his work, including the 2020 Oktane Award as a Change Maker, an honor bestowed by industry leaders. It was while holding those high-stakes positions that Andy simultaneously completed his Howard University education and earned his MBA.
Andy was driven for sure, but not by a desire for fame or favor or power. He was driven to be a source of pride to his parents and siblings, and a source of example to his four children and 25 nieces and nephews who admire and look up to him, many of whom followed on the path he trail-blazed for them. He paid it forward from the example he received from his parents and siblings. Indeed, “Uncle Andy” was a mentor, an inspiration, a confidant, and a pro bono IT consultant to most of his family and friends.
Andy was also a pillar in the community and a proud and valued member in good standing with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He was initiated into the fraternity in 2011 with his line brothers. His line was fondly named the “Kharismatic Centurions of the Epoch”. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the elite Flagship of the Fleet, the Washington, DC Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc. “BIG,” as he was affectionately known by his fraternity brothers, served on several committees and used his talents and expertise to develop the chapter’s website. Andy is known for his character and ability and willingness to support brothers in time of need.
Andy counted his family and friends as part of his “village.” According to Andy, it always takes a village and his village “is so powerful that it doesn’t matter if we’re 20 miles apart, 200 miles apart, 500 miles apart,” whenever the bell rings and it is time for action, we are there for each other. We were his village, and he was our appointed Chief, and not even the gates of Heaven can separate us.
We love you Andy; you will be sorely missed.
Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Andre and Marie-Antoinette Gaspard, his sister and godmother, Marlene Gaspard Durand, his niece, Christina Gaspard, his aunts Celimene St. Fleur and Eugenie Gaspard, and his cousin, Yves-Margarette Jean-Louis.
Andy is survived by his wife, Katina Gaspard, his children Devona, Asannee, Jasmine and Justin, his siblings, Serge Gaspard, Handy Andre, Jacques Gaspard, Berthony Gaspard, and Josette Gaspard Theodore, an aunt, Susanne Jean-Louis, an uncle, St. Valley Jean-Louis, his favorite cousin from his wife’s side of the family, as he would say, Towana Howard, and a whole hosts of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Andy’s viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, from 10:30a.m. until the time of service, 11:30a.m., at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 13752 Marys Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191.
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“Our Kommander and Chief”
A Leader you are, and that you will forever be;
Our everything, our hero our brother, Andy
Never cowering down in the face of adversity;
You led by example and manifested heroic diversity
Multifaceted in your approach to all of life’s obstacles;
A victor you were destroying mountains to particles
You sounded the trumpet and your village did assemble;
A reminder to us all to untie and never tremble
A heart of gold and for that you are a King;
Humanity was your underpinning but sovereignty was the note you would sing
Technology was the gateway to all you wanted to possess;
This talent and gift you shared with others at no request
Kommander, Captain, Chief are all titles connected to your legacy;
A birth right you inherited that spoke to your noteworthy supremacy
Never in a lifetime did we think we would depart
Trusting and believing in GOD, we know He will mend our hearts
Forever our husband, father, brother, uncle, hero, and friend
We know this is only the beginning of our heavenly time and not ultimately the end.
-Carmen Durand
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Brian D. Fiebig, 25, of Dumfries died accidentally May 23, 2021 in Ocean City, MD. Brian was born April 24, 1996 in Virginia, to Bruce and Susan Fiebig. He is preceded in death by his mother Susan Fiebig.
He is survived by his father, Bruce Fiebig; his sister, Michelle Fiebig; brother, Daniel Fiebig; nephew, Robert Hastings; and grandfather, George P. Lewett.
Brian loved working with animals, and was dedicated to supporting the ASPCA. As a lover of all arts, he displayed his many life-long passions through mediums of photography, music, and painting.
A Life Celebration service will be held at 6pm, June 1, 2021 at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd. Dale City, VA 22193. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local ASPCA or Humane Society in Brian’s name.
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