John B. "Jay" Collins III

John "Jay" Collins, age 86, a lifelong Nahant resident, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 23, 2024. He spent his days teaching Earth Science and Biology at Saugus High School, his nights serving drinks, conversation and smiles at Porthole Pub in Lynn, and summers lobstering the waters off of Nahant. He seemed to never tire except on Sundays when he finally relaxed to watch the Patriots with his family. His happiest times were the years spent on the "Jay Sea", his lobster boat, fishing with his sons Michael and Johnny. Almost every family member spent time helping the lobster business through good and bad weather. He could often be found in his truck with his twins Heather and Kerry sitting at the wharf watching the boats come in and out of the harbor.
Jay educated countless students during his years at Saugus High School. He met his wife Mickie while teaching there and they were married three years later. His field trips to ski at Loon Mountain and to bike on Martha's Vineyard are legendary. From parameciums, to cheek cells, to the periodic table, Jay always had a lesson plan that was fun and memorable. His last teaching gig was at his daughter Heather's house, microscope in hand, to help homeschool his granddaughter Max. Needless to say, he was ready with slides and textbooks straight out of the 1980's
In his later years Jay watched the sea from his apartment on Bass Point where many other lifelong Nahant residents resided. Friends and memories were made including his summers in the pool. Jay loved his family. He shared an unbreakable bond with his sister Adele which was rooted in their childhood together on Ocean St. with their mother Alice and father John. Jay took great care of his dog Freckles who was his copilot at sea, and Domino who was his copilot on land, and he would brake for any and all ice cream parlors. Jay Collins' love for Nahant was true blue. Everyone from shore to shore knew and loved him. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his four children; Michael Collins of Danville, NH, John B. Collins IV of Brentwood, NH, Kerry Alice Collins of Eliot, ME and Heather Goodwin of Nahant; his sister, Adele Gault of Marblehead; his former wife, Eleanor "Mickie" Collins of Nahant; as well as his five grandchildren; Michiko Collins of Danville, NH, Quentin Collins of Worcester, Trevor Collins of Haverhill, Jessie Goodwin of Nahant and Max Goodwin of Nahant.
His memorial service will be on Tuesday at 11AM in the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 67 Ocean St (Rt 1A), Lynn. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Nahant. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Monday from 5-8PM. Those who prefer may make donations to The Special Olympics at https://www.specialolympics.org/.