Travis Wade Collins

Obituary of Travis Wade Collins
Travis Wade Collins, 49, of Unity, Maine, passed away unexpectedly outside his home on May 6, 2025. Travis is survived by his children, Calla and Sawyer Collins; his mother, Valerie Oswald (and her husband, Garret); his father, Frank Wagg; his stepmother, Cindy Flanagan (and her husband, Jason); his sister, Jasmyn Wagg (and her partner, Kyle Handrahan); his brother, Damian Wagg; and his nieces and nephews, Aliyah Handrahan, Jewel Wagg and Kaleb Nichols. He is also cherished by his grandmothers, Caryl Wagg and Calla Gates. Travis was preceded in death by his brother, Derek Savage.
Born in Gardiner, Maine, Travis spent his early years at his grandparents' beloved "House on the Hill." During high school, his teacher and mentor, Chloe Chunn, introduced him to the outdoors, sparking a lifelong passion for conservation and the natural world.
Travis earned a degree in Park Management from Unity College, where he served with the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC), building trails across Maine's public lands. His trail work extended to the North Carolina Conservation Corps, where he found his beloved dog, Otis, and the California Conservation Corps. These experiences led to professional trail crew positions at Yellowstone, Kings Canyon, and Denali National Parks.
Despite his love for travel and wilderness, the call of family brought Travis home to Maine. He embarked on a second career as an Internationally Certified Arborist and embraced his most treasured role as a father. Settling in Unity, Travis cultivated fruit trees, gardens, and a strong community bond. He began a third career as a teacher at Mount View High School, bringing his love for nature into the classroom through the Alternative Education program. He expanded a greenhouse initiative, led service-learning trips to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and earned the 2011 Alternative Education Teacher of the Year Award for his dedication and skill.
Travis was a true renaissance man-an accomplished musician, writer, gardener, beekeeper, astrologer, woodworker, yogi, philosopher, artist, and surfer. His curiosity and talents knew no bounds, and his zest for life inspired everyone he met.
While he found joy in his homestead, his name reflected his spirit: a "Wanderer at the Crossroads," always seeking new experiences and adventures.
At the time of his passing, Travis was at those very crossroads eagerly preparing for his next adventure. He will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, and community. May those who loved him continue to find his presence in sunsets, starry skies, the warmth of a hearth, the heights of mountains, the sparkle of waves, and the laughter of friends.
A public celebration of life service will be held on June 3, 2025, at 1:00pm at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association in Unity, ME.