Haverhill, MA - Richard "Dick" W. Collins Jr., age 71, passed away peacefully at High Pointe House Merrimack Valley Hospice in Haverhill, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.
He was the loving and devoted husband of Elizabeth E. (DeGrave) Collins.
He was born in Haverhill, Mass., son of the late Richard W. and Yvonne (Comeau) Collins Sr. Dick was a 1965 graduate of Haverhill Trade School. He joined the Air Force following graduation and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969.
Upon returning to the United States he worked as a mechanic for the City of Haverhill Public Works Department and the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant for 34 years. He was a member of VFW Post 29 and American Legion Post 4.
Dick loved spending his winters in Naples, Florida, playing sports and being with his friends. But above all he loved his family. He put them above all else. He was a kind, fun-loving man, with a quick smile and gentle manner. He enjoyed morning coffee with the Riverside Rough Riders, then heading off to start the day. He enjoyed watching all sports, especially the Red Sox and Patriots and loved going to the classic car shows.
In addition to his wife Elizabeth, he is survived by his son, Paul A. Collins and his wife Jill of Greenville, S.C. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Katherine and Reese Collins and Jacqueline and Thomas Fischer; sister, Kathleen Colby; sister-in-law, Margaret A. Morton and her husband James, of Hernando, Fla.; brother-in-law, Lawrence DeGrave; and aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephew, and many friends, who loved him and will miss him.
Thank you to the staff at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, our friends, neighbors, family and the West Parish Community for their excellent care and help with Dick and Betsy during the past month. It was truly an outpouring of love and support that helped them through the most difficult days of their lives.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Saturday, August 25, from 9 to 11:15 a.m., at the West Parish Garden Cemetery Chapel, Lowell Street (Route 133), Andover, MA. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:15 a.m., followed by interment. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Dick’s name may be made to the Prostate Cancer Translation Research Fund #107437, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Development Office, 116 Huntington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116.