John Joseph Collins, 81, a lifelong resident of Haverhill, passed away Thursday, May 7, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington surrounded by his family.
He was born in Haverhill Aug. 12, 1933, son of the late Francis and Laura (Fitzgerald) Collins. Nothing made him happier than to go fishing with his children and grandchildren, playing golf, boating with his sons, having a “cut-throat” game of 45s and doing the most complicated of puzzles. He was a true dog lover, it was a rarity to see him without at least three dogs lying at his feet. In his later years he became an avid bird watcher. Collins was educated in the Haverhill schools and was employed as a burner technician. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church.
He was the husband of the late Patricia A. (O’Neil) Collins who died March 8, 1998, father of the late Theresa L. Collins and grandfather of the late Dagny A. Collins. He is survived by his children Cynthia A. and her husband James Graham of Haverhill, John J. “Jack” Collins Jr. and his wife Laurie of Groveland, Patricia A. and her husband William Graham III, David M. Collins and his wife Stephanie, Lisa M. and her husband Gregg Lemieux, and Thomas P. Collins and his fiancée Charlene Collins all of Haverhill; 12 grandchildren Geoffrey J. Collins and his wife Amy, William F. Graham, IV and his wife Lindsay, Timothy P. Graham, Joseph W. Graham and his wife Caitlin, Stephen J. Collins, James H. Graham, Jr., Shelby M. Collins, John M. Collins, Kaitlyn E. Collins, Teigue M. Lemieux, Nora P. Lemieux and Patrick L. Lemieux; five great grandchildren Lyra, William V, Brianna, Rosalie and Scarlett; and the family dogs Tally, Red, Ava, Sassy, Holly, Lollie, Sophie and Honey Graham.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation Tuesday, May 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill. His funeral service will be private and at the convenience of his family. Entombment will be in the Linwood Cemetery Mausoleum, Haverhill. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and/or the MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.