Remembering Cedric Collett

It was with a heavy heart that Pacifica Beach Coalition (PBC) president Lynn Adams sent out a note today letting the PBC community know that they lost a good friend.

Cedric Collett, 66, a retired Pacifica firefighter passed away while diving for abalone in Sonoma County on Saturday, April 27. He was diving with a friend and was found under water. Because Collett was an experienced diver and was still wearing his weight belt when he was found, it is believed he might have suffered a medical emergency.

“I still can't believe it is true,” wrote Adams. “Like many of you, I've known Cedric for years. His trademark was to do the heavy lifting and tough jobs that no one else wanted to do. On the Headlands he would often go for the weeds in the thick of poison oak or the biggest ones that no one else could get. One time we had a huge tree trunk across the Arroyo trail. I told him about this ahead of time so he could bring his chainsaw. I worried it would be really hard to clear and take us a long time. He kindly said it was no problem and cleared it in a matter of minutes.

"For the Pacifica Beach Coalition he would start early and come in with bags full of trash, usually when everyone else was just starting. Or he would dart off to never-land and come back with a stash of stuff you didn't know was there.  

"When not tackling a big job he was more of an observer and a thinker, not a big talker ... but when he talked it was something important or insightful. He always had a smile or even a devious smirk! This was the Cedric that I / we loved! This is the Cedric that we will miss.

"God bless you Cedric! May you have trails to hike, oceans to swim in, and friends and family to love up there. We'll carry on of course but always we will miss you! I know I will always miss you.”

A memorial service is slated for May 25 at the Firehouse. Patch will confirm the plans as soon as more information becomes available. Also, the Pacifica Beach Coalition is planning a way to honor Collett. If you would like to contribute, let the PBC know by e-mailing lynn4promos@aol.com. They will also take time to honor Collett at their next Pedro Point Headland workday on May 19. 

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