Edward F. "Ebby" Collins

SOUTH ATTLEBORO — Edward F. "Ebby" Collins, formerly of Brookline and Hollywood, Fla., died at his daughter's home in South Attleboro with family and friends by his side on Nov. 3, 2008.

"Ebby" was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps. He was a member of the 339th Fighter Squadron Assoc. and a friend to many at the Porter Square M.B.T.A. He was also a longtime friend of Bill W. and a retired employee of the Brookline Water Dept.

He was the beloved husband of the late Freda M. (Orne) Collins; loving father of five children, Theresa Rodrigues and her husband Paul, of Bourne, Edward F. Jr. and his wife Mary, of Co. Mayo, Ireland, Cynthia A. Leary and her husband Edward, of South Attleboro, John J. of Mission Hill, and the late Jacqueline Collins. He was the dear brother of Marion Varnerin of Norwood, and the late John Collins, Edna McKean and Margaret Stephenson; devoted grandfather of Marie Rodrigues of Marstons Mills, Marilyn Pokras of Wareham, Ed Collins III of Watertown, Heather Collins, Christine Collins and Ed Collins IV, all of Co. Mayo, Ireland, and Freda Collins of South Attleboro. He is also survived by his great-grandson, Michael Pokras of Wareham.

A funeral from the Bell-O'Dea Funeral Home, 376 Washington St., Brookline, will be on Saturday, 9:10 a.m., followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Brookline. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours are on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment is at Walnut Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of "Ebby" may be made to the Hillside ADHC, 50 Walton St., Attleboro, MA 02703, or the Community VNA Hospice, 10 Emory St., Attleboro, MA 02703.