Thomas J. Collins, age 74, a 30-year resident of Winchester, died September 2, 2020. Born in Cambridge, he was the son of the late Martin J. Collins, Jr. and Vivienne P. (Marcotte) Collins.
Raised and educated in Arlington, he was a graduate of Arlington High School with the class of 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after high school and served in Vietnam, where he expertly performed as an aircraft crew chief and rifle sharpshooter. Mr. Collins was proudly decorated with a Sharpshooter Badge with a Rifle Bar, a Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, an Aircraft Crewman Badge, a General Counsel Medal and a National Service Defense Medal. Upon returning stateside, Mr. Collins went to work at the Polaroid Corporation, where he was employed as a Chemist Assistant for over 30 years.
Tom was remembered by his children as being very handy around the house and with cars. He was known for always finding a way to figure out and fix things. In his spare time, he enjoyed walking and running as a family, hiking, and camping. They could also be found freshwater fishing in streams up in NH. He was always keeping an eye out to spot antiques in his daily travels, and toying with the latest state-of-the-art equipment from Polaroid. Every family member has a collection of personal Polaroid favorites.
Mr. Collins is survived by his children: Thomas J. Collins, Jr. of Belchertown, David J. Collins of South Weymouth, Holly A Collins of Arlington and Heather A. Collins of Stow; 3 grandchildren, and a sister, June Collins-Schott of Everett. Funeral Services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital - Attn: Voluntary Service, 200 Springs Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.