Graham D. Collins

PORTLAND, Ore. - Graham Daniel Collins, 48, died June 13, 2018, after a tragic battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born Aug. 2, 1969, in Berlin, Vermont, and raised in Northfield. He spent his childhood and high school years joining the youth/varsity baseball, ice hockey, soccer and golf teams, where teammates, coaches and teachers made his early life so special.
He graduated from Northfield High School in 1988, and attended Northern Arizona University where he finished near the top of his class in business administration. He settled in Portland to be near family in 1996. An accountant by training, his passion and skills were in historic home reclamation and renovation, and he spent seven years working for the Kroger Co., headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Graham's parents Bob Collins and Carlie Goodrich, siblings Sean, Ashley and Ethan Collins, brother-in-law Erik Blender and nephew Shane Noyes were by his side during his illness and death. Ever considerate of how his experience was affecting his loved ones, Graham met his last months with bravery and determination, with grace and grit.
Memories of Graham include his graceful athleticism, his attention to detail in both his professional and personal life, his deep affection for family and friends, and his passionate loyalty to all New England sports, particularly the Red Sox and Patriots.
In the end, Graham exhibited great courage in the face of a devastating diagnosis and aggressive disease. He fought the good fight with shadows cast by pain, fear and anger, yet, ultimately let go of his young life with remarkable dignity and love in his heart.
Graham is survived by his parents, Carlie Goodrich, of Portland, Bob Collins (Debbie), of Northfield; siblings Sean Collins (Cortney Cahill), of Colchester, Ashley Collins (Erik Blender), of Portland, Ethan Collins (Mary Kay Sambuchino), of Seattle; nephew Shane Noyes; nieces Sage Collins, Lara Collins, Sylvia Collins, and Phoebe Collins; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
A celebration of Graham's life will be held during September in the hills of Vermont.