Jack Collins

Jack Of Painted Post, NY Formerly of East Third Street, Corning, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2003, at the Waters of Three Rivers Health Care Center. He was born February 20, 1923 and was brought up by his wonderful grandparents, Daniel and Dorrit Collins. He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria; mother and stepfather, Delores and Johnnie Short; and father Walter Kelley. Jack Collins and Gloria Gardiner were married June 12, 1948. Gloria passed away in 1998, one month before their 50th wedding anniversary. Jack started his fifty years in retail with the E&W Clothing Store before joining the J.C. Penney Company where he held many management positions. In 1967, he joined the S.F. Iszard Company as Assistant Manager of the new Arnot Mall department store and in 1970 was promoted to Personnel Director of the company. He was a veteran of the US Navy Air Force serving during World War II (1943-46) as Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Petty Officer. Jack was a member of All Saint's Roman Catholic Parish and served on the St. Mary's Cemetery Committee. He was a life member and past Commander of the John P. Eaton Post #746 American Legion, past Chairman of the United Veteran's Organization, past Chairman of the Veteran's Memorial Committee, member of the Corning Elks Lodge #1071, serving as Secretary for ten years, life member of Knight's of Columbus and member of Marconi Lodge. Jack was a past member of the Board of Directors of Alfred State Retail Business College and served on the board of Dayspring Apartments. He was past President of Corning Jaycee's and a two-term Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Merchants Division. He also served as City Democratic Chairman from 1961 to 1967. Survivors include brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Jean Kelley of Houston, TX; very special niece, Carol Huddleston (husband, Mark and nephew, Marc) of Clinton, OH; nephew, Robert Kelley, Jr. of Texas. His wish is to recognize very good friends, Chuck and Joan Sparling of Corning, NY. Family and friends are invited to call at Haughey Funeral Home, 216 E. First St, Corning, NY, on Sunday, September 14, 2003, from 3 to 8 p.m. There will be an Elks Lodge Memorial Service at 7:30 p.m. A Prayer Service will be held at the funeral home, Monday, September 15, 2003, at 8:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m., St. Vincent de Paul Church, Corning, NY. Committal Service and interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial donations in Jack's name can be made to All Saints Academy, 158 State Street, Corning, NY 14830. Jack and Gloria made previous arrangements to donate a security fence around St. Mary's Cemetery in memory of the Collins family.