Peter James Collins

Peter Collins, brave soul and unforgettable friend to all he met, passed away on May 19 in the Christiana Hospital ICU, comforted by his sisters, brother and parents. Peter was 40 years old, which would be unremarkable except that he was born with the severe birth defects, spina bifida and hydrocephalus and was not expected by doctors to live "two hours, two days, two weeks." While he never let himself be defined by his physical condition, Pete was paralyzed from the chest down and had over 40 major surgeries and frequent hospitalizations. In his later years, he was also affected with upper body paralysis but endured all with courage, his special brand of good humor and a genuine concern for his caregivers. He had a quick wit and was unbeatable at word and number games. His sister, singer/songwriter Mary Arden Collins Gorman, gave his life a new dimension as a drummer with her band. Peter was remarkable in many ways: - He was one of the first students in Delaware to be "mainstreamed" into the regular school system, attending Claymont High School and graduating from A.I. DuPont High School, where he was awarded The Human Spirit Award. - He was a champion wheelchair racer, winning many medals and the Katie Kirlin Memorial Trophy. - At age three, Peter began a life-long happy association with the United Cerebral Palsy's Camp Manito as a camper and later a volunteer and fundraiser. He was honored by the UCP with a Distinguished Service Award for 25 years of service. - Peter was also a recipient of the Unsung Heroes Award from the News Journal for his community service. - He was a friendly fixture at the Concord Mall on Sundays for over 20 years, where he "wheeled" with freedom from end to end, greeting everyone from shopkeepers to customers to cleaning and security staff by name, and "making their day." Pete's real gift was himself. You could not have a better friend than Pete. He was always there for you despite his pain and problems, and his standard sign-off was "you know I'm here for you 24/7." He welcomed you into his special safe place where there was nothing but love without question. It was, and is still, a fun place to be, too…. the Phillies always win and the Dole Whip in Adventureland is always on him. As he always said, "I have the Peter Pan syndrome and never want to grow up!" Let us keep what he taught us. Peter was predeceased by his grandfather, James P. Collins, and his maternal grandparents, Catherine Mamczur Fedena and Joseph Fedena, and many of his friends, including Travis Hosey and Brian Sewell. He is survived by his parents, James P. Collins, Jr. and Elaine Fedena Collins; his sisters, Mary Arden, Cassie and Bridget, and his brother Jimmy; his grandmother Katherine Mooney Collins; brother-in-law Mark; and his beloved nephew and godson, Bodhi; and a large extended family. There are so many dedicated and caring people to thank for helping Peter through his journey, that their names would fill the entire page. Rather than risking omitting any - you know who you are, and on Peter's behalf, the family thanks you. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at noon on Saturday May 24, 2014 at St. Helena's Catholic Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington where friends and family may visit from 10:30 am to noon. Interment will follow Mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery, 10 Old Church Road, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to UCP of Delaware, 700A River Road, Wilmington DE 19809 and dedicated to the Peter Collins Camp Manito Fund.