Walter A. Collins

Collins, Rev. Canon Walter A. ALBANY The Rev. Canon Walter A. Collins died Sunday, August 10, 2008, at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital after a long illness. He was the son of the late Walter A. Collins Sr. and Bessie E. (Wiggins) Collins. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Alice Elizabeth (Snyder) Collins; his daughter and her husband, Cheryl Elizabeth and David A. Rodgers Jr.; grandsons, Jasn and Lachlan Rodgers; his sister and her husband, Mary L. and Philip Hume and their son, Scott Hume. He was predeceased by an older brother, Richard Collins and his wife Clara. Their son, Mark Collins and his family also survive Walter; as well as several cousins and friends. Canon Collins was born in Lowell, Mass. on October 30, 1938 and graduated from Lowell High School. He received the A.B. degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1960 and M. Div. degree from the General Theological Seminary in NYC in 1963. He was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church in St. Paul's Cathedral, Boston, Mass. in 1963 and a priest in St. Paul's Church in Brockton, Mass. in 1964, where he served as curate for three years. In 1966, he was married to Alice Elizabeth Snyder. That year they moved to Maine when he became vicar of St. Matthew's Church in Lisbon Falls and St. Matthias' Church in Richmond, Maine. From 1970 to 1980, Fr. Collins was vicar of St. Peter's Church in Rockland, Maine. In 1980, the family moved to the Diocese of Albany where he became rector of Christ Church in Herkimer. In 1988, the family moved to Albany where Fr. Collins served as diocesan hospital chaplain until his retirement in 2004. From 1997 to 2007, he was also vicar of St. David's Church of East Greenbush. In 1989, he was installed as a diocesan canon in the Cathedral of All Saints. He served terms on the diocesan council and standing committee and had been a spiritual advisor within the cursillo program. Canon Collins, in the past four years, also served as assisting priest at the Albany Cathedral. Canon Collins was a former member of the Rotary Club and more recently has been active in the Masonic Fraternity. He is a past master of Herkimer Lodge #423 and of Ancient Temple Lodge #14 in Albany. He was grand chaplain in the lodge and in York Rite bodies and chaplain of Cyprus Shriners. He has been presiding officer in several appendent bodies. In 2001, he became as associate regent of the Sovereign York Rite College of North America. He enjoyed his family and loved being with his grandsons. He and Alice liked to travel to places of historic interest. They also liked going to his college reunions. He enjoyed reading mystery and spy novels. A solemn Eucharist of the Resurrection will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of All Saints. Relatives and friends are invited any may call at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment, Graceland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Shriner's Hospital for Childrens, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-2396.