Paul R. Collins

1948 - 2025

Paul R. Collins
On March 17, 2025, Paul Collins entered into peaceful rest. Born in New Milford on April 17, 1948, to (the late) Albert and Eva Collins and was raised in Marbledale, CT. He developed an early passion for cars and received the class superlative for Class Hot Rodder from Washington High School in 1967. Paul served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, most enjoying his time at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii as an Airplane Mechanic.
Paul became an active member of the SNYRA, serving in a pit crew at Danbury Racearena. It was during this time, in 1977, that he was introduced to the love of his life, Kaye. Paul had breakfast every morning where she worked at Village Sandwich Shop in New Milford, asking her out daily until she finally said yes. Married in 1983 and together for 48 years, they have three daughters, with Paul telling others his most important job was keeping his girls happy.
Due to Paul's quiet nature, he ironically earned the nickname "Grumpy" while working as a mechanic for the state of Connecticut for 39 years. He was a family man, spending time in his community volunteering with his wife, and never missing one of his daughters' sporting events. Any free time he had was spent in his or someone else's garage, restoring classic cars, at car shows, swap meets, or at the Elephant's Trunk. He enjoyed Harley Davidson motorcycles and enjoyed wonderful trips with his wife and friends. He was a lifelong Yankees and UCONN Huskies fan and sported a trademark flat-top haircut and handlebar mustache.
Retiring in 2009, Paul dedicated his time to doing what he loved: spending time with family, shop talk with his friends, most recently, building a drag car, and visiting his home in The Villages, FL. Paul loved going out to eat with his wife, friends, and family, and spent most weekdays having lunch with his dog, Coupper. He was a devoted lifelong patron of 'Clamps' in Marbledale, CT. He was an active grandfather, known as "Poppie" to them. He made countless great friends and loved helping others, but above all, he centered his life around his wife, Kaye.
Paul was predeceased by his siblings, Garth, Fred, Verne, and Faye. He is survived by his wife, Kaye Collins, and daughters, Jennifer (Bob), Kristin (John), and Nikki (Nick). He leaves behind five grandchildren, Justin, Shianna, Blake, George, and Faye, and two great-grandchildren, Vienna and Callan. He leaves behind a legacy of community, hard work, and happiness that will be carried on by his loved ones.
A military burial service will be at St. Francis Cemetery, 86 Fort Hill Rd., in New Milford, on May 17th, at 11 a.m. The family is planning a Celebration of Life, themed "Hot Dogs & Hot Rods," at Hurlburt Park, in Roxbury, which will begin at 12pm. In his honor, family requests attendees bring classic cars to honor Paul's passion.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's name be made to: Roxbury Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 94, Roxbury, CT 06783, or, Animal Welfare Society, Inc., 8 Dodd Rd., New Milford, CT 06776.