CHICOPEE – Thomas P. “Tom” Collins, Jr., 74, a longtime resident of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on August 17, 1942, a beloved son of the late Thomas P. Collins, Sr. and Priscilla M. (Nelson) Collins. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from Springfield Technical High School and lived in Springfield for many years before moving to Chicopee in 1973. He continued his education with JATC training through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 7 in Springfield. He worked for the union for many years as an electrician and also served as a past president for the IBEW Local 7. He was an owner and operator of Springfield Electrical Co, Inc. with his son, Tom, and his brother, Brian, until his unfortunate accident which resulted in a spinal cord injury. Tom was an inspiration to many with his strength, courage and perseverance after suffering his debilitating injury. He positively impacted many people’s lives and often encouraged others with the similar challenges. He was a communicant of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Chicopee, a member of the Tiger’s Athletic Club and an honorary member of the Chicopee Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee where he was honored as the Chicopee Parade Marshall in 2002. He was a former member of the Moose Family Center and Elder Council 69 Knights of Columbus, both in Chicopee. He also was appointed and served as a Chicopee Electric Light Commissioner for many years. An avid sports fan, Tom was a season ticket holder and a longtime New England Patriots fan. He enjoyed many victorious seasons watching his beloved team with his family at Gillette Stadium. Tom’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and his many friends. Tom will be greatly missed by his loving wife and best friend, Kathleen E. (Litwin) Collins. They were married on December 29, 1962 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 54 years of happiness together. Tom also leaves his three loving children, Kimberly A. Collins and her wife, Marina Shrady, of Stamford, CT, Thomas P. Collins, III and his wife, Anna, of West Springfield and Claudine M. Collins and her husband, Brian Dibble, of Princeton, NJ; his five cherished granddaughters whom he adored, Natalie, Nadia and Nicole Collins and Lena and Arianna Dibble; his three dear brothers, John Collins and his wife, Maryann, of Naples, FL, Kevin Collins and his wife, Mary, and Brian Collins and his wife, Kathy, all of Springfield; his dear sister, Candice Collins of Longmeadow; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Collins and Litwin families. His Funeral will be held on Monday morning, July 24, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 56 Saint Anthony Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His burial will follow the Mass at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, July 23, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located at the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Tigers Athletic Club Scholarship Fund, 14 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
