Joseph F. Collinge, 84, a longtime resident of Derry died Monday August 10, 2009 at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester. Joseph was born in Lowell, MA a son of the late Joseph and Emma (MacPhail) Collinge. He served his country proudly during WWII in the United States Navy, earning the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal with 7 stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 stars. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1946, he returned home for a short while, only to join the Air Force a short time later. Mr. Collinge was a veteran of the Air Force for 18 years, stationed out of Pease Air Force Base, he worked on the flight crews of the B-29 bomber, and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his work in Bomb Navigation Systems. He retired from the Air Force in 1967 after a stellar career protecting our country.
Joseph enjoyed golfing, fishing, bicycling, sailing and spending time with his family. He was a member of the American Legion Post #9, the Veteran’s of Foreign War Post #1617, he was a 32nd degree Mason and was a former member of the North Billerica Lodge.
Joseph leaves his beloved wife of 53 years, Elizabeth (Rossetti) Collinge. He also leaves his loving daughter, Karen Leavitt and her husband Jeffery of Hampton, NH, sisters, Thelma Bursey of FL, Alice Leclair and her husband Jack of FL, cousins, Kevin and George Dailey, Ken Leclair and Linda Titsworth, Ed and Joanne Trudel and Donna Whitworth. He also leaves his cherished grandson, Ian Leavitt. He was predeceased by two of his triplet children, Michael Joseph and Catherine Ann as well as by his sisters, Ruth Dailey and Betty McAneney.
The funeral was held Friday August 14, at 11a.m. at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd. Londonderry. The calling hours were held on Thursday from 2-4p.m. and 6-8p.m.at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Mr. Collinge may be directed to the American Legion Post #9, 13 East Broadway, Derry NH 03038.