Colin was an extremely intelligent, and clever individual, who passed all of his exams - including ATPL subjects - at the first sitting.
He did attempt to contact his (probably) one and only friend, George, for days prior to the crash, and left messages on George's answering machine.
His passion was flying - that dream was destroyed when the young Connellan fired Colin, due to Colin's inability to hold an airport security pass because of his prior conviction.
He came from a very poor family, and had scrimped and saved every penny he'd earned to pay for his flying, which meant foregoing clothing, and having money to go out "with the boys", hence a lack of friends.
On the day of the crash, he was singing hymns on the ATC frequency, immediately prior to flying into the hangar.