Russell Ray Collins Obituary (1922 - 2009)

Winslow Russell Ray Collins, 86, of Meadowview Lane, died Sun. Mar. 1, 2009 at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer Unit in Waterville. He was born in Elkins, West Virginia, July 1, 1922, the son of Lester and Nancy Cooper Collins. Mr. Collins received his Bachelor's Degree from Denis and Elkins College in Elkins, W. Virginia. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II and in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus fourth degree assembly and a Faithful Navigator . He was also a member of Bourque-Lanigan Post #5 American Legion in Waterville. He enjoyed playing golf and liked to travel. Survivors his wife of 63 years, Constance ''Connie'' Lachance Collins of Winslow; brothers-in-law, Edgar Lachance and wife Connie of So. Paris and Joseph Sawlivich of Sidney; niece, Linda Spencer and husband Chris of Anchorage, Alaska; two nephews, David Lachance and wife Laurie of Manchester and Deacon Dean Lachance and wife Sue of Augusta; grandnieces, Nicole Clark Frechette and husband Paul of Las Vegas, NV.; grandnephews, Jacob, Zachary, Michael and Andrew. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Mar. 6, 2009 at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville with Rev. Bruce Siket officiating and Deacon Dean Lachance assisting. A luncheon will follow at St. Francis de Sales church hall at 11:30 a.m. Committal prayers with Military Honors will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Chapel at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta with burial to follow. Arrangements are with the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.