Montgomery High School Graduate
February 22, 2005 - Feb 19, 2026
Collin James Diggan of Montgomery Township, NJ died on February 19, 2026, three days before his 21st birthday.
He was born in Princeton, NJ, and was an integral part of a large family that jokingly referred to themselves as “Team Diggan.”
Collin was a loving son who was always by his father’s side, helping with projects around the house, and was someone his mother could count on for anything she needed. He was a thoughtful brother who took care of his siblings, giving advice, planning special food tours, and sharing constant laughter. He cherished time with his grandfather before he passed, going on joy rides and running errands, and made sure his grandmother was well taken care of.
You could always find him chatting with his cousins, aunts, and uncles on holidays and visits, sharing stories, crazy facts and sports stats. He loved bringing together his Italian and Irish heritage, especially through cooking and sharing meals with family and friends. He also enjoyed traveling, time at the beach, hiking, camping, music, and was an avid sports fan.
Collin attended Cherry Hill Nursery School in Princeton and Montgomery Township Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, where he formed many lasting friendships and met his longtime girlfriend, who will forever be considered family. He shared many laughs, long talks, adventures, and made tons of memories with this very special group.
Collin grew up playing rec sports, including soccer, basketball, and baseball, and spent many years as a player, referee,
and coach for NFL Flag Football in Montgomery. In high school, Collin was a three-sport athlete and was a part of the football, wrestling, and track and field teams, where he enjoyed both the competition and the camaraderie of his teammates. As a friend and teammate, he had a special way of making sure everyone felt seen and valued.
Collin had a passion for learning and was famous for asking many questions and energizing discussions. These qualities drew him to Virginia Tech, where he was a proud Hokie and embraced Ut Prosim: “That I may serve.” He was majoring in mechanical engineering, achieving the Dean’s List, and remembered as a hard worker by his professors.
In college, he discovered a new passion through the Formula SAE Team, where he enjoyed working with his hands,
learning to weld, and the responsibility that came with working as a group to design, build, and race a car together each year. He found his team and great friends who appreciated his drive, dedication, intellect, humor, cooking, and love of board games.
Collin is survived by his mother and father, Mary (Dagostino) and Tony Diggan, and his siblings, Isabella (“Izzy”), Sophia, and Aidan Diggan. He will be remembered by his teachers, friends, teammates, and family for his giant smile, ever-changing hairstyles, willingness to lend a helping hand, enthusiasm for games and new foods, random facts, and his genuine kindness.
Structure, competition, and camaraderie were constants in his life, and he carried that same sense of drive, responsibility, and care into everything he did. Those who knew him understood the kind of teammate and friend he was: dependable, engaged, and always willing to give more of himself.
Over the last few years, Collin faced depression with the same quiet determination that defined so much of his life. He chose to end his struggle by jumping off the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. Even in death, Collin worried about his family and friends, assuring them that they would all be there to support one another and continue a legacy of friendship and love.
His family hopes that his memory encourages open conversations, compassion, and support for those facing similar struggles.
A Mass to celebrate the life of Collin James Diggan will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Skillman, NJ, on Saturday, June 6, at 10:30 am. Those in attendance are welcome to join the family for light refreshments at the church following the service. Family and friends are also welcome to continue celebrating his life at the Diggan home that afternoon.
In honor of Collin, his family is supporting two initiatives that reflect both his passion and abroader need:
● The team and community that meant so much to Collin. Link to Formula SAE Donation Page
● US Center for Mental Health and Support — which focuses on promoting mental health
in athletes with an initiative to bring programs to high schools. Link to the US Center for
Please note that the family is not soliciting donations outside of these organizations.
