Salem
Richard ‘Dick’ Edmund Collins, 66, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Rosewood Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Peabody. Due to the current Covid 19 crisis and the restrictions, he was alone but with the help of staff, was able to Skype with his loving sister and was well aware of how much he was loved.
Born in Salem he was the son of the late William and Phyllis (Markiewicz) Collins. He was a graduate of St. John the Baptist School in Salem and Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody. In his younger years he served as an altar boy and in high school was an outstanding swimmer and gifted baseball player whose accomplishments were recognized by the many honors and trophies he received.
Dick was an adventurer and explorer. Shortly after graduating from Bishop Fenwick, he embarked on a cross country motorcycle trip that allowed him to experience the many wonders of our country. His adventures were cut short by a local car accident in 1977, where he sustained brain stem injuries which left him wheelchair bound for the rest of his life.
Although the medical prognosis was that he would not survive; Dick proved to all how determined he was. He overcame his many obstacles and went on to live and enjoy life to the best of his abilities.
Even though he was physically handicapped, he was fiercely independent, incredibly smart and very courageous. Dick lived his life to the fullest, beyond all expectations. He lived by himself, took care of himself and provided for himself. He prided himself on taking control of his own destiny until the battle fatigue finally claimed him.
Now at peace and free from pain and suffering, he joins his loving parents and sister, Kimberly Rogers. He is survived by his sister, Diane Vassil and her husband Peter, his niece Laurie Denis and her husband Jim, his niece Tara Vassil all of Salem, his nephew Timothy Vassil and his wife Cheryl of Georgetown. He also leaves his great-grandnieces, Mya Vassil of Salem and Laila and great-grandnephew Timothy Vassil both of Georgetown.
There will be no services. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any organization that truly helps another human being or animal live a better life. Dick spent much of his life in pain and would be happy to know that whatever you do would make a difference in someone’s quality of life. Rest my wonderful brother. Love is eternal. Assisting Dick’s family is the Levesque Funeral Home of Salem. For guestbook, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com
Richard ‘Dick’ Edmund Collins, 66, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Rosewood Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Peabody. Due to the current Covid 19 crisis and the restrictions, he was alone but with the help of staff, was able to Skype with his loving sister and was well aware of how much he was loved.
Born in Salem he was the son of the late William and Phyllis (Markiewicz) Collins. He was a graduate of St. John the Baptist School in Salem and Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody. In his younger years he served as an altar boy and in high school was an outstanding swimmer and gifted baseball player whose accomplishments were recognized by the many honors and trophies he received.
Dick was an adventurer and explorer. Shortly after graduating from Bishop Fenwick, he embarked on a cross country motorcycle trip that allowed him to experience the many wonders of our country. His adventures were cut short by a local car accident in 1977, where he sustained brain stem injuries which left him wheelchair bound for the rest of his life.
Although the medical prognosis was that he would not survive; Dick proved to all how determined he was. He overcame his many obstacles and went on to live and enjoy life to the best of his abilities.
Even though he was physically handicapped, he was fiercely independent, incredibly smart and very courageous. Dick lived his life to the fullest, beyond all expectations. He lived by himself, took care of himself and provided for himself. He prided himself on taking control of his own destiny until the battle fatigue finally claimed him.
Now at peace and free from pain and suffering, he joins his loving parents and sister, Kimberly Rogers. He is survived by his sister, Diane Vassil and her husband Peter, his niece Laurie Denis and her husband Jim, his niece Tara Vassil all of Salem, his nephew Timothy Vassil and his wife Cheryl of Georgetown. He also leaves his great-grandnieces, Mya Vassil of Salem and Laila and great-grandnephew Timothy Vassil both of Georgetown.
There will be no services. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any organization that truly helps another human being or animal live a better life. Dick spent much of his life in pain and would be happy to know that whatever you do would make a difference in someone’s quality of life. Rest my wonderful brother. Love is eternal. Assisting Dick’s family is the Levesque Funeral Home of Salem. For guestbook, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com
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