Martin Christopher Collett

'Weep not for me and sorrow take; just love my children for my sake'

Martin Collett lived in Exmouth, but was born in Cheltenham. He took his own life on 3rd June 2007
after a particularly bad period in his life. He was 28 years old and leaves his widow and 2
children. He was also greatly loved by his mum, dad, 2 sisters, 2 nephew, 2 nieces, uncles,
aunties, friends and in laws on both sides of the family and also his step daughter Jasmine.

It’s a very hard thing, when a person has died, for those who are left behind to put into words
what it is they feel.

But here are some things, some words, that have been shared with me about Martin, that I now share
with you – some thoughts and memories of the person Martin has been:

Martin was a kind, a genuine, a compassionate and helpful person who would do anything for anyone.

He was a wonderful father, being at the birth of Jordan and Tristan, his two children, who he loved
very much.

He’d often buy presents for them, like train sets, (though often he’d enjoy playing with the
things he’d bought them just about as much as they did. There was always, in the best sort of way,
something of the ‘big kid’ about him – a child at heart).

He was full of life, full of energy, full of excitement, scampering about as the nickname
‘Scamp’ tells you. He couldn’t sit still for 5 minutes, and was always in a hurry, dashing
about from A to B. When he had something to tell you… it could be difficult to keep up!

He was quite a character, quite a joker, a comedian, and had a great sense of humour. Annoying as
his laugh might be found,… you couldn't help but join in.

He worked for years as a maintenance worker in a care home with his accomplice, Terry. Several
stories could be told, including Martin managing somehow to stick electrical wire in his eye,
setting alarms off and claiming it was a test, and teaching staff how to clean up after his and
Terry’s maintenance endeavours, all of which earned him their nickname ‘Bodgit and Scarper’!

His adventures with DIY also continued at home. One of his projects was to wire the bathroom. He did
such a ‘good’ job that when you put the bathroom light on… the TV in the front room would go
off!

A great deal more could be said about Martin.

He was a very lovable character, loved by a lot of people, who’s left a big whole in the lives of
those who knew him. He will be sadly missed.

Martin was my husband and friend. We had our ups and downs but he meant the world to me and now he
has gone there is a big hole in my life that i don't know how to fill. I miss you Scamp so much you
were my everything if you'd only realised it.