Colleen Lynn Berzok
February 20, 1978 - July 14, 2015

"Yvonne.. Dee and I are so sad to hear about Colleen ..we always enjoyed your stories of the girls sitting around the Gi-RO lunch table.. We felt as if we knew them.. We pray for u to find comfort and peace..we are so truly sorry."

"We are still very saddened and heartbroken to know that you are no longer with us. You will be greatly missed. You were such an amazing human being, Colleen. You left this earth way too soon, but your memories will forever be with us. We lost a beautiful soul :(. Thank you for the swim lessons that you taught our baby, Tristan. He will continue on with his classes in your honor and dedicate all future swim lessons to you. I pray that your husband, family, friends, parents, and students find peace and comfort in such a difficult time. Even though it feels unreal, and we feel numb and confused over your passing, your legacy will live on. We love and miss you and will cherish every moment that you shared with our baby. "

"Thank you all for you love and support, it means the world to us. "

"Colleen. I am sorry I didn't get to spend more time together while working all those years at Atico. I'm a Christian and I pray the Lord your soul to take. Beautiful child, may u be dancing with angels right now. May your beloved husband find refuge in the Holy Church. May your family find strength and fortress in Jesus. We must believe that you went Home bc it was your time, that you did such an amazing 37 years of showing the world light and laughter. Of touching the souls of students, co-workers and everyone you ever knew. My darling u will be missed. But we will meet again in Heaven. Prayers for you and your loved ones. Psalm 71:20-21 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. "

"The Gillen Brewer School Family in NYC are so saddened by the loss of Colleen, sister to our dear Shannie. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. I did not know Colleen but your shared memories are so vivid and joyful of a person so full of life and love. May you find strength and comfort in each other and the wonderful memories you shared with this amazing young woman who was taken far too soon. "

"I did not know Colleen, but do share something in common with this kind young lady. I also had a terrible bicycle accident within yards of where Colleen lost her life. I was lucky and survived but had a very difficult recovery. My deepest sympathy goes out to her beautiful family. "

"Yvonne & Shannie-I have so many fond memories of Colleen and all of you growing up in our neighborhood together. She always had a bright smile and was full of joy. Our deepest sympathies to you all at this terribly difficult time."

"Always the most beautiful smile and a beautiful soul to match! She truly loved life and made the most of it. Our prayers and thoughts go to Eric and the rest of her family... You will be missed Colleen! "

"Sorry for your loss, may you find peace in the promises in the Bible, and the comfort that someday we can see our loved ones again. God promise in Revelation 21:4: that "He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. Acts 24:15 assures us: "There is going to be a resurrection", what that mean is that we can find comfort in God's word in knowing that someday we can see our loved ones again. How wonderful to know that we need not fear death again, for God has promise in Isaiah 25:8 these comforting word, "He will swallow up death for ever, and certainly wipe the tears from all faces. What great joy to be able to live forever without the fear of losing our loved ones again. It shall be as he promise."

"I will never forget hearing her yell my name so very pronounced...Saraaaaa Bald. You'd have to hear it to understand, but it's just one of the many things I will never forget about Colleen. My deepest heartfelt sympathy to her family. "

"Such a warm smile, kind soul, and loving heart....Thank you Coach Colleen for helping to keep all of our babies safe. Sincerest condolences to all her family and friends."

"Colleen was a beautiful woman that was taken from us too soon. I will never forget her smile, delicious & creative deserts & her passion for rescuing dogs. May you rest in peace."

"Dear Colleen for the last almost 3 years you have taught both my daughters their baby class. I saw you every weekend and never did I ever see you impatient with any of the children you taught. You were so calm , friendly and inviting. A real professional but under that I can see the genuine kind person you were. My sympathies to your family and friends you will be missed so much. May you be at peace xox"

"Colleen was always smiling - made me think that she was always happy."

"I have so many memories. So many fun, happy moments over the years. As I reminisced this past week, I thought of a moment. We were about 20 years old, standing in the mirror, getting ready to go out. I bought some black eye shadow and was heavily applying it. "I saw in a magazine that this is the new style" I said. You looked at me and without missing a beat, and with a straight face and said "what? Looking like you have a black eye!?" As I thought about all our moments together, I wondered why this tiny, almost seemingly insignificant moment stood out to me after all these years. I finally realized it was because that response was so "you". It was genuine. You were one of the sweetest, yet genuine people I ever knew. Someone who wasn't afraid "to tell it like it is" but somehow did it without a mean bone in your body. Not only is this rare, I think it's almost impossible to find in other people. I have never met anyone like you. I'm sure I never will. I think everyone knows that having a friend that is 100% genuine is a rare gift. And for that gift, I thank you. I can't believe I am saying goodbye. I looked forward to seeing you and Eric again this Christmas season, as I did in years past. I will miss that. I will miss hearing you call me "T". Something only a very few people get away with. I will miss hearing you call my babies "squishy". I will miss that hair and those hair ties wrapped around your fingers. Your skorts and that unbelievable smile. I loved how you would tag me in posts sharing in memories and I am sorry that we didn't get to see each other more before it was too late. I am sad. I am heartbroken. I am devastated. I love you my dear friend and I am thinking of Eric, your mom and your sister and I hope that they find strength somehow in this tragedy. ❤️"

"CoCo, you said to me that if you showed up and never saw me there again (someplace else), it would make your day. You knew I had to move on and follow destiny. Your strength pushed me to where I am today; that was 12 years ago. You gave me an opportunity I will never have on my own, walking you down the aisle, giving your hand in marriage to Eric, that was the most incredible honor of my life. You are my angel....I love you and will miss you dearly.... Eric, Yvonne, Shannie and Mike, you are all in my thoughts and prayers, she will never be forgotten. We will meet again, love you coco...."

"Eric, we are so sorry. My heart goes out to you in this terrible tragedy. Steve and I only met Colleen just recently at Janet's graduation, but we know that you were so blessed to have her in your life. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. "

"I only met Colleen for the first time two months ago in New Orleans with Eric & Colleen, and many of our old friends. When I first met her it was immediately obvious how full of life and love Colleen was. Very caring towards everyone and ensuring that all were having a great time. Most important, I could tell how smitten and proud Eric was of his beautiful wife. My wife, Veronica, and I are shocked and saddened that such a young and wonderful woman can be taken right in the prime of her life so suddenly. We wish Eric and the families of Eric and Colleen all of our condolences and love. "

"My grandson Ivan always loved Coleen at swimming. She was akways kind and loving. She will be missed. So sorry for your loss"

"Eric No words can replace your beloved Colleen. Forever cherish your time together. Her love for you is Eternal may you find comfort knowing how many others are here for you and how many lives Colleen has touched. Love Uncle Jim /Aunt Alice"

"Words simply cannot express the sorrow I feel. The world has lost one of the great ones. Colleen was a wonderful person and amazing with all the little ones lucky enough to cross her path. She was an inspiration to us all in the way she lived her life. My daughter, Skye, absolutely adored her and loves the water because of her. I was astounded by the fact that Colleen remembered everyone's name and aspects of their little personalities. She knew Skye loved ducks and always made sure to hand her a duck when it was time to break out the stickers in class. I feel honored to have known her and am devastated by her untimely departure. My thoughts are with her friends, family, coworkers, and other swim school parents & students. Colleen will be forever missed & remembered, and never replaced. Thank you for everything you did for my daughter and all the other kids out there. "

"Yvonne, Shannie and Eric, I pray for you every day. May you find strength in each other to get through your days ahead. I am so sorry."

"Eric, Yvonne and Shannie, I am so very sorry for your loss. If I could touch a fraction of the people Colleen did with her love, I would consider my life a success. Her life may have been short but what she has contributed with her time and love will grow forever. "

"We are saddened by this tragic loss. Colleen was such a beautiful and lovely woman, she always makes you feel welcome. She had a warm and caring heart. "

"So deeply saddened by the loss of this lovely, bright, generous young lady. We can never forget her smile and joy-filled presence. We send our prayers and deepest wish for peace for your family."

"For the past 2 and a half years coach colleen has been my granddaughter noelles teacher. Just last saturday on july 11th colleen got to see noelle in the water without mommy. Noelle got to be in the pool with colleen n karen she was so proud of herself n colleen was so proud of noelle. I am so happy colleen got to see one of her babies (that started at 8 weeks old) swim by herself."

"My daughter loved coach Colleen. She would clap and say "Cayeen" and "pool" and get so excited on swim days. My sincere condolences to your family!!! A true angel on earth now has her wings in heaven!"

"I am so sorry for your loss, our son Daniel loved you and felt so safe when you taught him. We will miss you so very much, and we will always remember your beautiful soul."

"I am deeply sorry for your loss. In the the near future God promises us in Isaiah 25:8 death will be swallowed up forever and mourning will be no more. "

"We have watched you teach little children how to swim and they loved you, your beautiful smile and your kind heart. Our heartfelt condolences to your family and friends."

"To the entire berzok family: How saddened we all are over this tragic accident. Our heartfelt sympathy to all of you. "

"Colleen, my sweet, beautiful cousin, if you only knew how many lives you have touched, you really have made the world a better place & you will live forever in our memories. Sending thoughts of peace, strength & courage during this difficult time, especially to Yvonne, Shannie, & Eric. "

"Such a beautiful picture. We are so terribly saddened."