Outpouring Of Love, Support For Family Of North Fork Teen Who Died In Pool: 'Our Turn To Take Care Of Them'

NORTH FORK, NY — The North Fork community, rocked by loss after the unthinkable and devastating death of a beloved high school senior, 17, last week, has opened their arms and hearts to support his family — and their business, a cornerstone of the place so many call home.

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

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."

Community members have shared a message posted on Facebook, vowing to be there for the Drago family during their darkest hours.

"When their doors reopen, let's be there," a friend wrote on social media. "Main Road Biscuit Co. has spent years feeding, welcoming, and being part of our North Fork community."

She added: "Right now, their family is experiencing an unimaginable loss. They have closed their doors this week to take the time they need to grieve, be together, and take care of one another. This week, we give them that time. But when they are ready to reopen their doors, let's show up. Let's put a line out the door. Come for breakfast. Grab a coffee. Pick up lunch. Buy a gift card. Bring your family. Bring a friend. Share their business. And keep coming back. They have taken care of and fed this community for years.Now it's our turn to take care of them."

The message continued: "Give them this week. Give them their privacy. And when those doors reopen, North Fork, let's make sure they know they aren't standing alone. Show up, eat local — support local."

In a huge outpouring of support, the post has been shared countless times — by business owners. Friends. School acquaintances. Strangers who may never have met but who are bound together by a love of the North Fork and all who live there.

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."

A devastated community continue to messages of love and heartbreak – with Gavyn's school prepared to help students cope with the unexpected and heartrending tragedy: "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 were held on Monday, September 7, at 10:00 a.m. at North Fork Reform Synagogue. Interment immediately followed at Cutchogue Cemetery.

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."