Colin Scoggins
A Life Fulfilled
For the first time, the story teller isn’t here to tell this one. So, with grateful hearts
and countless memories, we will do our best to tell the story of the remarkable
man, who spent a lifetime writing chapters in all of ours. To the world, Colin was many things. He was an Airman for the United States Air Force, a professional with the Federal Aviation Administration, a respected Coach, a competitive powerlifter, trusted friend, devoted Husband, and Father, who loved unconditionally.
The Airman:
Some chapters don’t just become part of your story, they shape the person you become.
For Colin, that chapter began on July 22, 1976, when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, he embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. Whether earning an early promotion through the Below-the-Zone program, being named Crew Chief of the Month, earning the highest GPA among the applicants to Shaw Air Force Base’s commissioning program, or breaking the sound barrier in an F-4 Phantom and becoming a member of the Mach Buster Club, he approached every challenge the same way he approached life, head on, all in, and with his whole heart.
Even after his military service ended on August 21, 1980, his dedication and commitment continued to be recognized. Receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal was one of the honors he held closest to his heart, not because of the medal itself, but what it symbolized: a life lived with integrity, excellence, and selfless service. These values became the foundation of the man we knew and loved, someone who believed in working hard, doing the right thing, and using what he learned to help others.
The Professional:
For 34 years, Colin proudly served with the Federal Aviation Administration, which earned him National recognition. As an Air Traffic Controller, Military Liaison, and Airspace Procedures Specialist, he earned the respect of colleagues throughout the aviation community.
On September 11, 2001, Colin was among those entrusted with helping the nation respond during one of the darkest days in American history. Working alongside fellow aviation and military professionals, he coordinated communications between the Federal Aviation Administration and the military, as fighter aircraft were deployed in response to the four hijacked aircrafts. In the years that followed, Colin became a respected voice in educating others by helping them understand the events of September 11, and the complexities of air traffic control. His experience was featured in numerous documentaries, national television interviews, and publications examining that historic day. He served as an aviation consultant for the acclaimed film United 93 and was recognized in books documenting September 11, such as Lynn Spencer’s Touching History.
The Coach:
For more than 35 years, Colin devoted thousands of volunteer hours to coaching young athletes throughout the Nashua community. He coached: girls and boys city recreation basketball, Girl’s High School Basketball, Travel Basketball, Girl’s city and high school softball, Boys city baseball, Multisport All-Star Teams, Elks and Police Athletic League Pop Warner football, and spent 17 years as the defensive line coach at Nashua South High School football.
Generations of young athletes knew him as “Coach Scoggins”,”Scoggz”, and “Big Scoggz”. His players knew exactly what it meant when they heard his voice carry across the field. He often reminded his players that the experience mattered more than the scoreboard. Those who knew him best, still laugh at that. While truth be told, Colin believed in sportsmanship and character, everyone also knew one undeniable truth… he absolutely loved to win, especially if it meant beating a rival team (iykyk).
Colin coached with passion. He challenged his players and made them realize their worth. From personalized trophies, to celebratory ice cream trips, and his unforgettable “Scoggz Hogs,” he created traditions that made every player feel like they belonged.
Even after the final whistle blew, former players continued to seek him out because of the relationships, confidence, and trust he had built. That was Colin’s gift. He made people believe in themselves.
More Than Muscle:
To us, this chapter of Colin’s life was never just about power lifting. Yes, the trophies and titles were impressive, but it’s the friendships and stories we remember!
Some of life’s greatest moments begin in the simplest of places. At 16, in Maryland, he and his friends built a shack in their back yard and called it the Temple Hills Weight Lifting Club. This small club grew to have up to 50 members, some of whom went on to win State, National, and World Championships. His passion for powerlifting followed him to NH where he joined Andrew’s Power Gym, Gold’s Gym, and Iron Kat House Gym; where he set state records with a 685 lb squat and a 485 lb bench. Colin proved that strength and intelligence go hand in hand, never fitting the stereotype associated with the sport. He became someone others looked to
for guidance, knowledge and encouragement.
The Husband:
Who would have thought a basketball court would become the setting for one of life’s greatest love stories? What began as a friendship, blossomed into a partnership that would span decades, creating a life filled with family, friendships, and countless memories.
Going to the movies was one of their favorite pastimes, but the greatest love story we ever watched was the one they lived everyday. Whether it be playing games, laughing at all the ways Helene tried to cheat, watching their favorite shows, celebrating special events, enjoying all the chaotic family vacations, somehow managing to attend hundreds of sporting events, or simply spending time together. This was indeed a love story worthy of the movies, yet this somehow was better because it was real.
Even when Colin knew his days were limited, and his family was determined to ensure he was well cared for, his requests were always the same, he just wanted to make sure Helene would be taken care of. We can’t imagine a greater example of what it means to be a devoted husband.
The Lives he Touched:
The measure of his life was found in the people he loved. Colin leaves behind wife, Helene Scoggins; his children, Jaimee Young, Tiffany Gray and her husband, Doug Gray, Nicholas Scoggins, Cassandra Desfosses and her husband, Bennett Desfosses, and Jenny Fitzgerald and her fiancé, Kevin Delaney. He also leaves behind two cherished grandchildren whom he proudly raised as his own, Dante Young and Jaegen Young; his beloved grandchildren Lexi, JoJo, Alena, John VI, Leo, Jocelyn, Tucker, Mary-Lynn, and Chase; and his three treasured bonus grandchildren, Eddie, Saylor, and James, each of whom lovingly knew him simply as “Papa.” He is also survived by his siblings, Chaz Scoggins and fiancé Helene, Dick Scoggins and his wife, Cathy, Wendy Elliott and her husband David, Kim Scoggins and his wife, Debbi, Erin Scoggins, David Mitchell and his wife,Tina, Virginia Jennings and her husband, Gregg, and Peggy Wilkinson and her husband Joe; his sisters-in-law, Lucy Perkins and her husband, George, Carmen Lacasse and her husband, Danny; his brother-in-law, Mike Turcotte and his wife, Paula; along with countless nieces, nephews, extended family members, former players, colleagues, lifelong friends, and many who became family simply because Colin welcomed them into his life. He was predeceased by his beloved Father Charles Robert Scoggins and his mother, Persis C. Mitchell and brother John Mitchell
The Foundation:
One of Colin’s greatest wishes was that children raised by grandparents, relatives, or other family members would know they are seen, valued, and capable of achieving their dreams. To continue that mission, memorial contributions may be made to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation – Colin Scoggins Scholarship Fund, established to provide annual scholarships to one young man and one young woman from Nashua High School North and Nashua High School South who have been raised by family members. Few things could better reflect the compassion and generosity that defined Colin’s life.
The Legacy:
Colin touched thousands.
He helped protect a nation.
He mentored generations of young athletes.
He strengthened friendships that lasted a lifetime.
He created a family whose foundation was built on unconditional love.
He showed us that being a father has nothing to do with biology, being a coach is about far more than sports, and being a husband means choosing one another every single day.
If you were fortunate enough to know Colin Scoggins, then you were fortunate enough to know a man who lived with purpose, led with strength, loved without conditions, and left this world far better than he found it.
That is his legacy.
That is his story.
And what a remarkable story it is!
SERVICES: Family and friends are respectfully invited to celebrate Colin’s remarkable life at the Courtyard by Marriott, 2200 Southwood Drive, Nashua, NH 03063. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A second period of visitation will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. Interment with Military Honors will follow at 1:30 PM at Edgewood Cemetery, 107 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH 03064. Arrangements are in the care of Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock Street, Nashua, NH 03064. An online guestbook is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com or by calling (603) 883-3401.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to honor Colin can be made to the Scoggz Scholarship Fund at NH Charitable Foundation. Checks to NHCF can be mailed to 37 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301, noting the Scoggz Scholarship Fund, or gifts can be made online at nhcf.org by clicking on “Give” and searching for the fund by name.