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John F. Collins Jr.

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Saint Joseph's University

FUNERAL HOME

Mealey Funeral Home - Limestone Road

2509 Limestone Rd

Wilmington, Delaware

John Collins Obituary

John F. Collins Jr.

Age 72, died October 27, 2011 in Wilmington, DE. After a valiant battle with kidney disease, he succumbed to his illness.

Jack was born June 21, 1939, in Wilmington, to John and Edna Collins. He attended Saint Joseph's University where he earned B.S. in History and played for the basketball squad and tennis team. Jack served in the U.S. Army as a language specialist, fluent in Russian and German, and played for the Army-European traveling basketball squad before returning to his life-long home of Wilmington.

Jack dedicated his life to teaching. He enriched the lives of his students. He accomplished this through his years at St. Mary Magdalen School where he taught social studies, reading, and physical education. His teaching style appealed to even the most challenged learners and nothing was more important to Jack than the success of his students.

Those who knew Jack remember his love of sports, particularly basketball. Jack played in college at St. Joe's and throughout his life at pick-up games and with his children. In addition to being a dedicated teacher, Jack was also a basketball, softball, and volleyball coach. His girls' basketball teams went on to earn Catholic Youth Organization accolades as well as multiple state and regional championships.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Julia Collins.

He is survived by his 4 children and 4 grandchildren: Kevin J. Collins and wife Cherie, Patrick J. Collins and wife Danielle with daughter Zoe, Marni M. Sklodowski and husband Gary with children, Zachary, Kayley, and Ryan, and Sean M. Collins with fiancée Ann.

Jack was a much-loved father, grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend. He was kind, selfless, and always ready for a laugh, a hot dog, and a cold Coors Light, while swapping stories or discussing his favorite sports teams. His warm smile and giving nature will be sorely missed. Contributions in his memory can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice.

Viewing at Thursday, November 3 from 6-8 pm at MEALEY FUNERA LHOME, Limestone & Milltown Roads, Wilmington, DE 19808. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am November 4 at Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 9 Sharpley Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington.

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(302) 652-5913

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Published by The News Journal from Oct. 29 to Oct. 30, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for John Collins

Sponsored by Kevin Collins, [email protected].

19 Entries

Jim Roche

November 18, 2013

I and so many of his early life buddies -from his HS days in Catonsville MD - remember Jack as a fellow student & thoughtful young guy. He did well with his life & impacted many lives, esp young ones, in positive ways. That's a great testament to him & his personal values. God rest him.

Cheril Meier LaRue

November 3, 2011

To the Collins family, I am so sorry for the loss of your father and grandfather. However, you should be very proud of the many, many lives he touched. I was one of his students he had such an influence on. Oh those current event quizzes and the podium he would teach from sitting at the edge of his desk! Mr. Collins was also my bus driver driving through McDaniel Heights, track and basketball coach. Looking back, what a great time! I believe God put a very special man in front of alot of us SMM kids at such an important part of our lives and taught us so much about getting an education, working hard, overcoming challenges. Mr. Collins had a profound effect on so many of us in the SMM and Wilmington area he will be missed, but I feel very privileged to have been put before him so, so many years ago.

Jim Yeager

November 3, 2011

Jack was my brother-in-law. He was also my friend, my confidant, and a light in the tunnel for me. He was a friend because he was always there to help me. He shared everything he had with me and never asked how I was going to repay him. He was my confidant because I could always talk to him about anything and I always felt he listened and really cared. He accepted me for who I was, not who he wanted me to be. He always provided great counsel on many issues ranging from religion, to marriage, to work. He was a light in the tunnel for me because I married into a family that did not share many of my interests such as sports. Jack was always available to play basketball, softball or whatever, and afterwards grab some food, a few beers, and a lot of laughs. We had a lot of fun doing those little things together and sharing stories and experiences. Jack was an excellent athlete but from my perspective an even better brother-in-law, husband, and father. Here's to Jack! I will definitely miss him.

Marti Meier West

November 2, 2011

My deepest sympathies to the entire Collins family. Your dad/grandfather had a huge impact on the entire Meier family! My dad still (30+ years later) talks about how there was no coach like Jack Collins and how all of the Meier kids excelled under his leadership. As an educator, I can so appreciate how he always had the bar raised to a high standard and the expectation was that you would meet that bar. I certainly learned more about the world outside of Wilmington, DE and all those world leaders we needed to remember with Mr. Collins as a teacher. He was a teacher that made a difference.

November 2, 2011

My deepest sympathies to the Collins family. He made Social Studies fun. A teacher I will always remember. (Susan..SMM class of 1985)

Mike Houghton

November 1, 2011

The Collins family has left a big footprint in my life. Mr. Collins driving the bus to StMM occasionally throwing student off to walk together to solve a conflict. His leadership as a teacher was second to none and I always looked forward to his class. I'm sure now he knows what Kevin and I were up to now as he watches over us .It was a privledge to be a student of his and treated like a family member. I fondly remember when at their home as Mrs Collins always had pizza there so we could stop by for a snack ..God bless the Collins family and thank you for being a part of who I am today

Carol Kemske Miles

October 31, 2011

My family and Jack's family were very good friends. We were offer together at the "Fox Hole". We had great times boating and swimming in the Sassafrass River. I haven't seen Jack in quite along time but I will always remember are times together at the "Fox Hole".

David Goodhue

October 31, 2011

Mr. Collins was one of the best, and certainly one of the more memorable, teachers I have had. His focus on current events stuck with me and likely influenced my professional life more than I had imagined. I am sorry for the Collins Family's loss.

Annie Monaghan

October 31, 2011

To the Children and Grandchildren of Mr. Collins I'd like to extend my deepest sympathies at your loss. GOOD GUY that MR. COLLINS who had a huge heart, lots of soul and certainly took care of his students like no other teacher/coach probably ever would care to. You are in my Family's and my prayers.

Maria DiMarino Colontonio

October 30, 2011

My condolences to the Collins family. Mr. Collins really made learning interesting. I loved current events especially. He pushed us to learn where every country was & know every world leader of our time. It was a lot to learn but you didn't mind doing it for Mr. Collins. I have many memories of him such as calling everyone by their last name. He was a gentle giant who shaped the young minds that came before him. RIP Mr. Collins.

James Hendrickson

October 30, 2011

Mr. Collins was easily one of the most memorable adults of my childhood. Among many positive quirks that set him apart, one that stands out to me for some reason is when he would say "Ballgame" to signal the end of an event or student-ruckus-moment in the classroom (or on Green Bus). His teaching methods were one of a kind and left impressions on everyone who spent time in his classroom or his teams. He did so much more than just educate about History or Social Studies.

Maureen Moore Radi

October 30, 2011

My condolences to the entire family. Mr. Collins not only taught academic classes, but drove our school bus, and coached basketball, softball. and track teams. He kept his sense of humor from early morning to late at night. I recall reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" the first time under his instruction. I was always amazed at his dedication to coaching. It is so easy to lose the kids that aren't quite varsity material - but I am sure he is the reason I have continued to participate in sports. It was not until years later that I learned that other girls did not have the same opportunities. He taught and coached while teaching us to find the best in ourselves. StMM class of 1972

Katie Higgins Hood

October 29, 2011

Mr. Collins made me work harder than I thought i could

Monica Hill

October 29, 2011

My condolences go to the family. Mr. Collins was an excellent teacher, loved and admired by so many of us, his former students. His smile, his sense of respect, his intelligence remain in my memories of my days at SMM. I'm glad he's reunited with his beloved wife where they now have no pain, only joy. You are all in my prayers!

Joe Barone

October 29, 2011

My deepest condolences to Mr. Collins' whole family. (It's funny, but as a former student, I still can't bring myself to call him "Jack"!) He was an inspirational teacher -- one of the best in my entire life. If we are judged by how much we improve the world before we pass on, rest assure that Mr. Collins excelled in that endeavor! He will be sorely missed. -- Joe Barone, SMM Class of 72.

Kathy Kingston

October 29, 2011

I loved working with Jack at SMM. He was a great teacher and always had great Halloween costumes! .

Mary (Scheiber) Oliphant

October 29, 2011

Oh my goodness, so sad to hear of this loss. Mr. Collins was an awesome teacher, mentor, and bus driver! Eternal rest Jack and eternal peace.

Monica Alvarez

October 29, 2011

To the Collins family... I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Collins monumentally impacted my life. He didn't just teach me about the world, he taught me how to THINK about the world. He taught me leadership skills, the importance of being part of a team, and that it's okay to expect the best out of people. He pushed my young brain to learn things beyond the playground, beyond the basketball court, beyond Wilmington. I know Mr. Collins was not a perfect man, and I am sure (like us all) he had his own demons, but he was a great teacher, and a powerful force. I know I am not alone in my admiration of him, and I hope that you, the Collins family, know that his work positively effected the lives of countless students.

Stephen Mitten

October 29, 2011

So sad for you lost to the Collins Family. But, please realize the powerful influence Jack had on all our lives. Jack was a great teacher who enriched countless lives. We need more Jack Collins in this world!

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