KENNEBUNK- Robert M. Collins Sr., 75, of Kennebunk, ME passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 14, 2022, after a short five month battle with leukemia. He was a loving husband, father of five, grandfather of 14 and great-grandfather of two.
He was born October 23, 1946, in Catskill, NY to Harold and Shirley (Turner) Collins. He had fond memories of working on the family farm with his parents and grandparents and would talk often about that when sharing stories about his childhood. He attended Northeastern University in Boston, MA earning a Bachelor of Science in 1969. He was a proud member of the Phi Gamma Pi Fraternity since 1965. Upon his graduation he relocated to southern Maine where he accepted a position at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME and worked there for 34 years before retiring in 2004.
He met his second wife, Deborah, while working there and after a short courtship of 3 months they married at the Naval Chapel on July 3, 1981. They were able to celebrate 40 years of marriage before illness separated them. One of his proudest achievements, other than raising 5 children, was designing and building the home he and his wife, Deborah, raised their three daughters in. During the months of home construction, he would come home from his primary job and immediately head over to spend several hours at the new home site to work on it. “Mama cut out pictures of houses for years/From ‘Better Homes and Garden’ magazine/Plans were drawn and concrete poured/Nail by nail and board by board/Daddy gave life to Mama’s dream” Country song lyrics that lovingly sum up those early years. He enjoyed traveling and made many wonderful memories with his wife and children visiting locations internationally and stateside.
After 20 years in that home and after their children had grown and left them empty-nesters Bob and Deb decided the time was right and decided to fulfill a dream of retiring in Florida. They spent their ten years there exploring their new home state, spending many beautiful days on the beach and collecting shark's teeth which was a favorite pastime for Bob during the Florida years. They renewed their marriage vows on Siesta Key at a beachside ceremony to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
Ultimately, they decided that their children and grandchildren weren’t able to visit often enough so they decided to move back to Maine in order to spend more time with their family. Bob loved all his grandchildren and thrived as a grandfather. Whenever they were around he could be found rocking one to sleep, down on the floor playing with them and a few times he even had his ‘nails and make-up’ done by an ambitious granddaughter or two. He was always a good sport and happy to go along with whatever their imaginations came up with.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 41 years, Deborah Anne Collins, who will miss him more than words can express. His five children, Heather (Eric) Kulickowski of Berwick, ME, Robert Jr. (MaryEllen) Collins of Ayden, NC, Tiffany (Tyler) Leach of Houlton, ME, Tristy (Roy) Lohndorf of Berwick, ME and Tawny Collins (Matt Webster) of Poland, ME. Fourteen grandchildren including Erika, Kyle, Zachary, Rilee, Shelby, Shiloh, Shae, Matthew, Zachary, Harper, Brycen, Gabriel, William and Noah. Two Great-Grandchildren Annabelle and Walter. A sister-in-law Melanie Collins of NY, an estranged brother and his wife in NY and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents Harold (Bucky) Collins and Shirley Dowd and his brother Richard Collins.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for the wonderful care they provided and in particular his favorite nurse, Jessika.
There will be a private family ceremony in the spring.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to help fund further research.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com