THOMASTON - It is with overwhelming sadness and truly broken hearts that the family of Valentin “Val” J. Collazo, age 18, of Thomaston, CT, share that he tragically passed away on December 22nd, 2025, the result of an automobile accident.

Val was born on February 7th, 2007, in Waterbury, CT. Valentin, known as “Val” by his close friends and family, was an intelligent and hardworking young man with a bright future. A 2025 graduate of Thomaston High School, Val earned honors and the admiration of his teachers and peers. He had a gift for mechanics and engineering and had plans to further his education in those fields. Val worked diligently as a manager and pizza chef at Clocktown Brewing Company, where he made coworkers, customers, and friends feel at home with his sense of humor and kindhearted nature. Val had a creative and curious spirit. He poured his heart into everything he did, be that tinkering, building cars, playing video games, or spending time with those he cherished most. He found peace and happiness in nature, whether it was fishing for trout, exploring the outdoors, or simply enjoying a quiet moment surrounded by the beauty of the world around him. To his siblings, he was a devoted and protective brother, always offering his support and encouragement. His thoughtful disposition and wisdom beyond his years left an impression on everyone who knew him.

He will be forever present with his mother, Mellissa DiLeo, and his father, Alberto L. Collazo. Val will be deeply missed by his stepfather, Joel Segui and his siblings, Geovanni L. DiLeo-DeLeon, and Carmello, Lorenzo, and Isabella Segui. Val will be lovingly remembered by his father’s family: his aunts and uncles, Evelyn Y. and Kenneth A. Jacovino, Alicia Collazo and Christopher J. Vauthy, Jose V. and Kimberly Collazo, and Marisol Collazo; his cousins Marcelo V. Araujo and Vivienne E. Jacovino; and his grandmother Elba N. Collazo. On his mother’s side, Phyllis DiLeo, Debbie and Jerry LaBracque, Timothy and Lucy DiLeo, Jaimie Cook, and grandparents Stephen and Adelina DiLeo, along with numerous other family members. Val leaves behind his girlfriend, Lilian VanOrmer, and his close friend Manuel A. Villamarin, along with countless friends, coworkers, and community members who will forever cherish his memory.

A Candlelight Memorial Service celebrating Val's life will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Clocktown Brewery, South Main St., Thomaston CT. All are welcome to attend.

Funeral services for Val will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Shrine of St Anne RC Church “Todos Los Santos Parish”, 515 South Main St Waterbury CT. Those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church by 9:45 a.m. Burial will follow in New Pine Grove Cemetery, Waterbury. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects and visit with the Collazo family on Sunday January 4, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. until 6: p.m. at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care , 1987 East Main St., Waterbury, CT 06705. To honor Val’s memory donations to his GoFundMe page would be greatly appreciated by his family: https://gofund.me/d171e4df0. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to send a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. Please visit the funeral home's tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to do so. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family, please visit the funeral home website at www.caseyfunerals.com.