GERARD F. COLLINS

COLLINS, Gerard F. Age 85, of Dorchester, February 8, 2017. Beloved husband of the late Barbara (Palmer-Flaherty) Collins. Devoted father of Deborah Flaherty-Kizer and her husband W. Keith Kizer of Schenectady, New York and Colette Collins-Blackington of Saratoga Springs, New York. Loving grandfather of Abigail Kizer of Orlando, Florida, Colin Kizer and his wife Kristina (White) of Rotterdam, New York, Hannah Blackington of Brighton, MA, Caroline Blackington of Brooklyn, New York, Harrison Blackington and Samuel Blackington of Saratoga Springs, New York. Dear brother-in-law and good friend of William Palmer of Yarmouth. Gerry was a graduate of Dorchester High School. He was a member of the United States Air Force and a veteran of the Korean War. After returning home to Dorchester, he attended Burdette College and then started his career as an adjuster in the insurance industry for several insurance companies including the Mass Fair Plan. Gerry was past President of the Holy Name Society at St. Brendan's Church and he served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Gregory's Church and Carney Hospital in Dorchester. He also served on the Board of Directors at Harbor Health Services and was a founding member of Neponset Health Center. Gerry was a diehard New England Patriot's Fan who would write a personal note to Bill Belichick every year with suggestions for the NFL draft. The family extends its gratitude to the caring staff at Charwell Nursing & Rehabilitation in Norwood, Massachusetts. Visitation in the John J. O'Connor & Son Funeral Home, 740 Adams St. (near Gallivan Blvd.) DORCHESTER, Saturday, February 18th from 8:30 to 9:30 am, with a Funeral Mass to follow in St. Gregory Church, Dorchester, at 10 o'clock. Relatives, neighbors and friends are respectfully invited. Interment at a later date in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester. In lieu of flowers, the family hopes you will consider a donation be made in Gerry's memory to Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 or St. Gregory Church, 2223 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02124. For directions and expressions of sympathy, www.oconnorandson.com.