Belmont----Richard G. Collins, 67, of 114 Hurricane Rd. died peacefully at home, after a long illness on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
Richard was born October 8, 1943, in Bridgeport, CT, the son of Francis and Louise (Farrell) Collins.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1964 aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga and participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis, which was one of the most confrontational incidents in the Cold War era. The ship’s crest art and design were made aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga’s print shop in December of 1963 by Richard and Clark Bolton. He was a member of Port 5 Naval Club in Bridgeport, CT and the USS Saratoga Association.
He resided in Connecticut for 35 years before moving to Gilford where he lived for 15 years. For the last 10 years, he resided in Belmont.
He was a longtime mechanic and business owner/operator. This included Collins Service Center, Bridgeport, CT, R. G Collins and Sons, Laconia, NH and Winnipesaukee Towing and Recovery of Belmont, NH. Richard was a communicant of St. Joseph Parish, Belmont.
His hobbies included boating, fishing, collecting antiques, and telling stories to his friends’ children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his devoted and loving wife of 48 years, Annette C. Collins, of Belmont, sons Wayne R. Collins and his wife Kimberly of Laconia NH, Keith Collins and his wife Kathy of Saugus MA, daughters, Colleen Collins of Painted Post, NY and Kristin Breyfogle and her husband Jonathan of Stubenville, Ohio; 9 grandchildren, US Marine Lcpl. E3 Louise Kustis, Crystal Collins, Zachary and Tyler Collins, Patrick and Kelly Adrignola, Emily Kellar and Annette (Annie) Breyfogle, He is also survived by Sisters, Maureen Harris of Bridgeport, CT, Mary Collins of Bridgeport, CT, and Brother Kevin Collins and his wife Rosemary of Easton, Ct and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by grandson, Francis R. Collins, of Laconia in 2007.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 from 6:00-8:00PM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 10AM at. St. Joseph Parish, 96 Main Street, Belmont, N.H. Burial will follow at the family plot in Union Cemetery, Laconia, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street,Laconia, N. H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.