Timothy Collins

Timothy CollinsBREWERTON >> Timothy A. Collins, 57, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018, in Lake Placid, after being stricken while presenting at an educational conference.Born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 7, 1960, he was the son of Edward "Ted" Collins and the late Janet Chevrette Collins, who died in 2006. He married Sherry Converse in St. Joseph's Church, Oneida on May 25, 1990. They had 27 wonderful years together.A longtime resident of Central New York, Tim was raised and educated in Oneida, graduating from Oneida High School in 1978. He then enlisted with the United States Marine Corps, serving for four years, including a year aboard the USS Forrestal with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115. Tim continued his education, graduating from Empire State College in 2000 and the University at Buffalo Law School in 2003, magna cum laude.At the time of his passing, Mr. Collins served as an attorney for the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES and also maintained a private legal practice, known as Collins Law Office, primarily specializing in education law, estates and trusts. Prior to his law practice, he was employed with New York State Police at Raybrook as a Communications Specialist, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a Conservation Officer and O'Hara, O'Connell and Ciotoli Law Firm. He was a member of the New York State Bar Association, was admitted to Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States in 2007 and accredited to represent claims for veteran's benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2009.Tim enjoyed fishing, fly fishing and tying flies, hunting, golfing and family card games. There was "always room for ice cream because it just fills the cracks". He had a special place in his heart for his two passed adopted dogs Abby and Sierra, who were waiting for him to play again. Tim will always be remembered for his kind and loving soul and willingness to assist anyone. He could discuss any topic with ease.Surviving besides his wife, Sherry, are his father, Ted and his companion, Elizabeth Curro of Oneida; his sister and her fiancé, Tracy Collins and Jack Walter of Oneida; his two brothers and their wives, Thomas and Anna Collins of Oneida and Todd and Lynn Collins of Munnsville; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bradley and Mary Jane Converse of West Leyden; his brother-in-law and his wife, Scott and Meredith Converse of Brewerton; nieces and nephews, Tom and Tara Collins and their children, Casper and Harper, Shane and Kelly Collins, Page Collins, Ethan Collins, Taylor Converse and Jack Converse; and several extended family members. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Francis and Clara Dutcher and his paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Shirley Collins.Funeral services will be held 9:15 a.m., Tuesday, March 20 at the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main St., Oneida and 10 a.m. from St. Joseph's Church, Oneida, where the funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Edmund Castronovo. Spring interment, with full military honors, will be made in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Boonville. Calling hours at the funeral home will be held, 3-7 p.m., Monday, March 19. Contributions in his memory may be made to a local animal rescue shelter of one's choice or the American Cancer Society, Box 7, 6735 Lyon St., East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.campbell-dean.com. CAMPBELL-DEAN FUNERAL HOME, INC. Oneida http://www.lastingmemories.com/timothy-a-collins