Russell Ray Collins

WINSLOW -- Russell Ray Collins, 86, of Meadowview Lane, died Sunday, March 1, 2009, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer Unit in Waterville.

He was born in Elkins, W.Va., on July 1, 1922, the son of Lester and Nancy (Cooper) Collins.

Mr. Collins received a bachelor's degree from Denis and Elkins College in Elkins. He served in the Navy during World War II and in the 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 include his wife of 63 years, Constance "Connie" (Lachance) Collins of Winslow; brothers-in-law, Edgar Lachance and his wife, Connie, of South Paris and Joseph Sawlivich of Sidney; niece, Linda Spencer and her husband, Chris, of Anchorage, Alaska; two nephews, David Lachance and his wife, Laurie, of Manchester and Deacon Dean Lachance and his wife, Sue, of Augusta; grandnieces, Nicole Clark Frechette and her husband, Paul, of Las Vegas; and grandnephews, Jacob, Zachary, Michael and Andrew.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 6, at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville, with the Rev. Bruce Siket officiating and Deacon Dean Lachance assisting. A luncheon will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales church hall. 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.