Thomas A. Collins Sr.

Thomas A. Collins, Sr. of Chelmsford, was truck driver, WWII vet; 80 CHELMSFORD Mr. Thomas A. Collins, Sr., a resident of Chelmsford, died Oct. 14, 2008 in Lowell, after an extended illness, aged 80 years. He was the husband of Hazel (Abrahamson) Collins, with whom he would have celebrated 58 years on marriage this December 2nd. A United States Navy Veteran of WWII. Born on April 14, 1928, in Lowell, he was the son of the late Thomas A. and Roseann (McSorley) Collins. He received his early education in the Lowell School system. He enlisted in the United States Navy on Dec. 12, 1945, at the age of seventeen. Tom served aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina, and was the recipient of the Victory Medal and American Area Medal. He was honorably discharged Oct. 23, 1947. Returning home, he became employed with Coca Cola and was as a truck driver, for over 40 years. He was a member of the Teamster Local #603 out of Nashua NH. Tom was a communicant of Saint John the Evangelist Church in North Chelmsford. For many years, Tom enjoyed camping, sailing, and summering on Lake Winnipesauke in Moultonboro, NH. He was an avid gardener. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas A, and Vicki Collins, Jr. of Chelmsford; his beloved daughter, Cynthia L. Collins of Clinton, MA; three cherished grandchildren, Joshua J. Collins of Manchester, NH, Matthew T. Collins of Chelmsford, and Stacey M. DeBonville and her husband, Mitch of Montreal, Canada; three great-grandchildren, Colby M. Collins, Lucas H. DeBonville, and Logan M. DeBonville. COLLINS Died in Lowell, October 14th, Mr. Thomas A. Collins Sr. a resident of Chelmsford, aged 80 years, husband of Hazel (Abrahamson) Collins. A United States WWII Navy Veteran. Friends will be received at the MORSE-BAYLISS FUNERAL HOME, 122 Princeton Blvd. at Chester and Harvard Sts. on Friday from 4-8 P.M. Friends who wish may make Memorial Contributions in his name to Dr. Franklin Perkins School, 971 Main St. Lancaster, MA 01523. Funeral from the funeral home Saturday at 9 A.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist in North Chelmsford. at 10 A.M. Friends invited. Interment in West Chelmsford Cemetery. Funeral Director Walter F. Bayliss, Jr. www.morsebaylissfuneralhome.com