Summer 2024
Eric Collins, 62
Dr. Eric David Collins was born in Garden Grove, California, on April 18, 1962, and passed in Greenwich, Connecticut, on May 28, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Born to Helene and John Collins, Eric spent most of his youth in Laurel, Maryland, and graduated as Valedictorian of Laurel High School in 1980, before continuing his education at Yale University. At Yale, he explored his passion for singing and co-founded Mixed Company, an aptly named mixed gender a cappella group that continues its performances today. After graduating from Yale with a degree in Economics, he spent two years teaching physics and chemistry at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts before attending the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he discovered his passion for Psychiatry.
He graduated from medical school AOA in 1990 and continued his residency and fellowship training at Columbia, completing dual fellowships in addiction and consultation-liaison psychiatry. Throughout his career, he held the positions of Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Medical Director of Addiction Services at Columbia University, Physician-in-Chief of Silver Hill Hospital, and Medical Director of the New York Center for Living. His passion for patient care changed the lives of many.
Despite his love for psychiatry and the betterment of his patients, he valued his family above all. He raised his children in Darien, Connecticut, instilling intellectual curiosity and emphasizing the importance of education in them. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys (to the great dismay of his fellow New Yorkers), New York Yankees, and New York Rangers. He loved collecting hockey cards, most recently ecstatic over opening a Connor Bedard rookie card with his sons. His quick wit, broad smile, unmatched wisdom, and endearing quirks will be forever remembered by those who were lucky enough to know him.
Robert Joseph Gaulin, 93
Robert Joseph (Bob) Gaulin, loving father, grandfather, great- grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully in Manassas, Virginia on November 23. Bob was born in Mexico, Maine on April 29, 1930 to Bertha and Joseph Gaulin. He joined the Navy in November 1951 and was honorably discharged with the rank of second-class petty officer in November 1955. He married the mother of his two daughters, Rita Jean Hickernell (who pre-deceased him) in February 1954. He was also pre-deceased by his second wife, Whitely V. Gaulin.
After graduating from Capitol College in 1958, he worked the rest of his career as a software engineer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Bob devoted nearly 30 years of volunteer service to the Laurel Boys and Girls Club by coaching softball, basketball, bowling, and golf. He served on the Board of Directors of that organization, became the club president and first the executive director. He operated the club’s Monday night bingo for 20+ years.
Bob is survived by his daughters Deborah Levis and her husband Wilson of Newhall, CA and Karen Beyer and Gary Lange of Manassas, Virginia, six grandchildren, Patrick Levis, Amanda Smith, Joseph Levis, Caitlin Wade, Kelly Hoffman, Dana Beyer and 15 great-grandchildren.
Bob moved to Manassas nine years ago to be closer to his daughter and family. He quickly became loved by many. He loved playing bingo and dominoes with friends, and enjoyed many breakfasts at the Yorkshire Restaurant where he was loved like family
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Park Valley Church benevolence fund, in memory of Bob Gaulin. The family would appreciate a comment in the memory tab if you made a donation to Park Valley benevolence fund, so we may express our gratitude.
Daniel Messina, 82
Daniel Joseph Messina, age 82, passed away on April 29. He was born in Washington, D.C. on March 16, 1942 to Joseph Robert Messina and Helen Lucille Kushner Messina.
He married Ann Jacobsen Messina in 1968 and they were married for 56 years.
After graduating from the Capitol Radio Engineering Institute in 1983, he worked for General Electric and a number of contractor companies and eventually worked as a computer programmer for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs until his retirement in 2013.
He is survived by his wife; daughters Sandra Lynne Messina, Karen Elaine Messina Hovey and Julie Elizabeth Messina; and grandchildren Bailey Anderson Messina Dicus, Zepher Messina, Christopher Jason Messina Dicus, Delaney Sinclair Hovey and Sloane Mackenzie Hovey.
His hobbies over the years included ham radio, photography, model railroading, computers, anything related to Disney and woodworking. He built everything from wooden puzzles to kitchen cabinets, bedroom furniture, and numerous bookcases.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Laurel, American Heart Association, or American Diabetes Association.
David James Patterson, Sr., 81
David James Patterson, Sr. passed away on April 19, 2024 at the age of 81. Born September 5th, 1942 in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Dave was the son of James and Hazel Patterson. Shortly after high school, Dave enlisted in the Army and was part of the 82nd airborne division.
Upon returning home, Dave started a job with the US Postal Service in 1968, until his retirement in 1992. His career with the Postal Service included Human Resources, a job his family found very fitting for him, as he loved people, especially conversing with and getting to know those around him and working with him.
Dave was also an EMT with the Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad and a member of the American Legion. One of his greatest joys was taking his 1972 show truck to car shows with his wife, Marilynn.
Dave is survived by his wife, Marilynn Patterson; children Lisa Ann Stevens, and David James Patterson, Jr. “DJ” (Dawn); grandchildren Cinder Hurst (Jacob), Samantha Hall (Dillon), half-brothers Donald Huffman (Rhonda), Joseph Patterson (Michelle), and half-sister Susan Michalicek (David); sister-in-Law Donna Freeman; great grandsons Hunter Hall and Asher Hurst; great granddaughter Briar Snow, in addition to aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
Dave was predeceased by former spouse, Karen Patterson, and half-brother Thomas Huffman.
Please consider donating in the memory of Dave to the American Cancer Society or any form of donation that can better assist our veterans, such as the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, or any other preferred option.
Frank Persico, 71
Frank G. Persico was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1952, to the late Frank J. and Margaret G. Persico. He died suddenly on May 14, 2024, at his summer home in Ocean City, New Jersey. Frank is survived by his wife, Stephanie, of 48 years; his daughter, Lauren McCarthy (Tim) of Alexandria, Virginia, their four children, Logan, Brendan, Margaret, and Devin; his son, Robert (Maranda), Agoura Hills, California; his sister, Sister Mary Persico, IHM, of Scranton, Pennsylvania; and his brother Attorney Joseph (Patrice) and their children and grandchildren, of Shavertown, Pennsylvania.
For more than four decades of his life, Frank served in multiple administrative capacities at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC., including the most recent, Vice President for University Relations and Chief-of-Staff. Before that, he served as Assistant to the President and General Secretary, Associate Dean for External and Student Affairs, Executive Director of Student Affairs (Columbus School of Law), Executive Director of Alumni Relations, among others. His service to the University was far-reaching and comprehensive, and touched the lives of the Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, and students in memorable ways. Before his service at the University, Mr. Persico earned his BA in Speech and Drama, his MA in Higher Education Administration, and ABD doctoral education at The Catholic University of America.
As part of his roles at the University, Frank took part in planning the visits of three Popes to Washington, DC, The Catholic University of America, and to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, starting with Saint John Paul II in 1979. He later planned, organized, and flawlessly implemented the visits of Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and Pope Francis in 2015. The visits of these Popes were a source of pride for the people of the United States and, in particular, to the people of our nation’s capital. For his role in these Papal visits, Frank has been awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Benedict XVI and the Pro Ecclisia et Pontiface Medal by Pope Francis.
Frank served in other capacities as well. As a consultant after his retirement from Catholic University, he shared his expertise in best practices of non-profit governing boards, as well as his well-grounded experience in today’s educational and fiduciary environments. He worked with many universities and other educational institutions during this time. He was an inveterate trustee, mentor, emcee, and friend to all who engaged his skills and larger-than-life personality.
He had the reputation of never being able to say NO. Therefore, it wasn’t unusual to find him volunteering as auctioneer, swim-meet referee and announcer, speaker, selling Christmas trees for the Lions Club, or serving on the City Council in Laurel, Maryland. A hallmark of all he did was his sense of humor, perfectly timed.
In addition to his educational endeavors, to which he dedicated most of his life’s passion, Frank enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake Bay as a member of the Chesapeake Yacht Club, traveling literally around the world with his wife and family, attending Broadway and Kennedy Center Theatre productions, cheering for the Washington professional sports teams, and enjoying life near the ocean.
Nancy Maria Stevens, 93
Nancy Maria (Fiori) Stevens, 93, of Laurel MD, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024.
Born on October 15, 1930 in Medway Massachusetts to Eva (Currier) and Vincent Fiori (both deceased). She was the wife of John Stevens for 39 years until he passed in 1995. She is survived by John (Maryann Cusma) Stevens, son, and Terri Stevens, daughter, and her pride and joy, Collin Stevens, grandson. Also she is survived by her brother, Vincent (Linda) Fiori and her sister Virginia “Jeannie Fiori” (John ) Glennon and 32 nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved as though they were her own children.
She was known to her work colleagues as Nancy, and to her family and friends as Maria. Maria was a remarkable person with an extraordinary career for a woman of her time. She attended NorthEastern University for accounting, in which at the time, less than 1% of the attending class were women. She worked full time her entire adult life, beginning in the retail industry first as a bookkeeper, then moving into sales and marketing in Boston until she married. After several years abroad with her husband John while he was stationed there, they moved to the Washington DC area in 1961. During the 1960s she worked as a residential manager in apartment complexes in Prince George’s County. In the 1970s she moved into retail property management as General Manager of the Laurel Shopping Center, responsible for opening the new “enclosed shopping mall.” In the 1980s, she transitioned to commercial property management with the Charles E Smith Company of Crystal City, VA where she became the Company’s very first female Vice President. After 15 years, she joined and was with for almost 2 decades, the Horne Brothers at Meridian Management Company where she finished her illustrious career in 2012 at the age of 82 as head of North America properties. She was responsible for buildings such as Grand Central and Penn Stations in New York City, the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee, all the Texas border crossings, and numerous other buildings across America. Also during her impressive career, she sat on various committees; as the Landlord Representative on the very first the LandLord Tenant Committee of Prince George’s County MD, and various Boards including the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), writing many of the codes and regulations for the state of Maryland and across the country that still exist today. Additionally, she was a close trusted advisor to US Congresswoman Gladys Spellman of Maryland. Since moving to Maryland in 1961, she attended St Mary’s Catholic Church in Laurel. Additionally, she was a member of the Soroptomist Club and was a long time loyal member of the Sons of Italy in Laurel.
When she wasn’t working, Maria loved to travel the world. But Maria was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends. Maria was known to be kind and incredibly generous (extended family will remember epic Easter egg hunts with big prizes for all. And everyone knew there would be Christmas presents galore). She was the ultimate hostess and a legendary storyteller.
Kevin Wayne Wilkes Sr., 56
On June 20th, 2024, Kevin Wayne Wilkes Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his three cherished children. He is survived by his significant other and best friend, Ann Deborah Williams. He was the beloved son of Gene Wilson Wilkes Sr. and Eula Carolene Wilkes; dear brother of Gene Wilson Wilkes Jr. and Lisa Michelle Badstibner; devoted father of Kevin Wayne Wilkes Jr., Katelyn Michelle Fallon, and Andrew Joseph Wilkes; and loving grandfather of William Matthew Fallon and Luke Wayne Fallon.
On August 19th, 1967, Kevin was born and then raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. He graduated from Seneca Valley High School in 1985 where he was an all-around superstar athlete before attending Shepherd University where he continued playing football. He worked as a loan officer for several years and then managed the Laurel Tastee Diner, his family’s business. Kevin was an avid Commanders fan and his greatest joys in life were being surrounded by the people he loved most. He will be deeply missed and his family will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Because Voices of Laurel is a quarterly publication, obituaries are compiled over the course of each issue every three months. We do our best to include as many published notices as possible, and there is no charge for inclusion. Send obituaries with a photo to laurelhistoryboys@gmail.com.
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