North Fork Community Mourns Loss Of Student, 17, Who Died In Pool Tragedy: 'The Purest, Best Person'

NORTH FORK, NY — A heartbroken North Fork community is gathering Monday to pay final respects to a beloved teen who died Friday.

Gavyn Avery Drago, 17, died after being found unresponsive in a Mattituck pool.

Subscribe

Gavyn's father Bryan Drago wrote a beautiful tribute to his son on Facebook: " My son Gavyn Avery Drago. He was the purest, best person I've ever known. He was my only child and was my best friend. I wanted to be his parent, and I was, but he was so emotionally advanced that it was difficult to be his parent and not be his friend."

He added: "Since he was a little boy so many people would always say to us, 'You did such a good job with him." But I truly feel it was the other way around — he made me a better person."

Of his son, he said: "His life was very full, but he most just really liked being around people. Friends and family were always the most important. . . He really loved family traditions (we cultivated so many over the years). He was changing and growing more independent this year, but his appreciation of traditions didn't change at all."

Main Road Biscuit Co. in Jamesport, owned by Gavyn's mother Marissa, posted a message about the tragedy: "We are closed this week in honor of our beloved and respected team member, friend, and son, Gavyn Avery Drago.This week, we will pause, reflect, and rest alongside him.Gavyn touched the lives of so many of us with his kindness, warmth, and spirit. He will forever be a part of our family and in our hearts. Thank you for your understanding as we take this time to honor Gavyn and remember the beautiful person he was."

A devastated community send messages of love and heartbreak: "The Mattituck-Cutchogue community is in mourning over the tragic loss of high school senior Gavyn Drago. Our thoughts are with Gavyn's family, his friends, and his classmates," the district said.

"We are presently working on supports for our students and staff on Tuesday and into the future."

Visitation was held for Gavyn on Sunday at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 7, at 10:00 a.m. at North Fork Reform Synagogue, 27245 Main Road in Cutchogue.

Interment will immediately follow at Cutchogue Cemetery, 30535 Main Road in Cutchogue.

The family will hold Shiva at 550 Bennetts Pond Lane in Mattituck on Monday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"We extend our deepest condolences to Gavyn's family, friends, and classmates," the school district said.

The Greenport Union Free School District also sent a message of sorrow: "The Greenport school community joins Mattituck-Cutchogue in mourning the heartbreaking loss of high school senior Gavyn Drago. Our thoughts are with Gavyn's family, classmates, teachers, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. We extend our deepest condolences to Gavyn's family and the entire Mattituck-Cutchogue community during this incredibly difficult time. "

According to Southold Town police, the tragedy unfolded place at about 12:53 p.m.Friday at a home on Bennetts Pond Lane..

"The Southold Town Police Department extends its condolences to the family and all those affected by this tragic incident," police said.

Party Animal North Fork wrote on social media: "It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of a precious member of our Mattituck community, Gavyn A. Drago.Gavyn's parents, Marissa and Bryan, are so much a part of the fabric of our community, both as local business owners and, most importantly, as friends, neighbors, and people we care deeply about."

The message continued: "As a community, we hope to surround the Drago family with love and support as they honor and remember Gavyn. We also hope that, in the days, months, and years ahead, they continue to feel how deeply their family is held by the community around them. We encourage those who know and love the Drago family to come together in support of Marissa and Bryan during this unimaginable time. There are simply no adequate words for the loss of a child. We can only show up, hold space for their grief, honor Gavyn's life, and remind this family that they do not have to carry their sorrow alone.May Gavyn's memory always be held with love."