Thomas John Collins Sr. Obituary (1946 - 2015)

Eastport – Thomas John Collins Sr., 68, passed away at home on June 18, 2015 surrounded by his wife and family. Tommy was born on October 1, 1946 to John and Georgianna (Henderson) Collins in Queens, NY but his family moved just three years later to Eastport where he spent his childhood and graduated from Shead Memorial High School, class of ’64. He then enlisted with the U.S. Coast Guard proudly serving his country aboard the USS Barataria during the Vietnam War. Tommy married Victoria Irene Baxter on May 2, 1974. He loved to hunt and fish and his bird feeders were always plentiful. Tommy was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by his wife of over 41 years, Vicki Collins; his children, Thomas J. Collins II, Daniel G. Collins, both of TN, Edward R. Collins, Sharlyn V. Collins and Rachel L. Collins and her companion Joe Buchanan, all of Eastport; seven grandchildren, Thomas J. Collins III, Damienne Buchanan, Shelby Townsend, John Collins, Kelli Collins, Shawn Collins and Shawna Collins; sister, Gail Keezer and her husband Roger of Perry; family friend, Leroy Haddock who was cared for by Tommy and Vicki for over 12 years; sister-in-law Cheryl Thompson of Eastport; brothers-in-law, Richard Mealey, of Eastport and Edward Baxter and his wife Mary of GA; many nieces and nephews and his canine companions, Buddy, Sabrina, Molly and Bruschi. He was predeceased by his parents. A celebration of Tommy’s life will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 11th at Bayside Cemetery in Eastport.