Matthew Collins

Matthew Lawrence Collins 1939 - 2010 LANESBOROUGH Mr. Matthew Lawrence Collins II, 71, of New Bern, N.C., passed away at home on November 3, 2010. A native of Lanesborough, Mattie was the son of the late Matthew Jerome and Phyllis Rhinehart Collins. In 1958, he graduated from Pittsfield High School where he was captain of the football team. He continued his education and football career at Brewster Academy and the University of Massachusetts /Amherst receiving his Bachelors Degree in Accounting in 1963. Mattie married his college sweetheart, Janet Stewart on November 12, 1961. He taught math and coached football, downhill skiing and track at Wahconah Regional High School before continuing his career in the IT field both in Massachusetts and California. He retired from Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley, Calif., and moved to New Bern, N.C. Sports played a big role in Mattie's life. From early childhood, he participated in many different sports, including skiing, football, hockey, and track, specifically pole vaulting. As an adult, his interest turned to sailing, which he enjoyed until recent years. One of his proudest moments came when he was inducted into the Pittsfield Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Along with athletics, his interests included photography and watercolor painting. And, as anyone who knew him well knows, there was nothing he loved more than sharing stories and laughing with his friends and family. Mattie is survived by his sister, Marianne Leslie of Lanesborough, former wife, Janet Collins of Raleigh, N.C.; son, Stewart Collins and wife, Deborah Collins, of Buffalo, N.Y.; daughters, Carolyn Southard and husband, Shawn Southard, of Raleigh, N.C., Amy Ford and husband, Jason Ford, of Wake Forest, N.C.; his granddaughters, Heather Cryans-Collins and her husband Renato Guerra, Tori Fancher and her husband Cameron Fancher, Colby Fiester and her husband Scott Fiester, Emily Southard, Marybeth Ford and Audrey Ford; his great grandchildren, Emilia Guerra and Liam Fiester; and special friend, Susan Sharpe of New Bern, N.C. He was preceded in death by his brother, Miller Collins. FUNERAL NOTICE: A private family Celebration of Life will be held in the spring out on the Atlantic Ocean. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Craven County Health Department Foundation, Inc., PO Box 12610, New Bern, NC 28561. Condolences may be offered at www.pollockbest.com.