Richard "Dick" E. Collins

Richard E. "Dick" Collins, 87, of Streeter Road, Fonda passed away Monday morning, April 14, 2014, at the Wells House in Johnstown with his family at his bed side. Born June 14, 1926 in Gloversville, NY, he was the son of the late John and Blanche Davis Collins. He was a lifelong Fonda resident and graduated from Fonda High School Class in 1944. Dick later graduated from Simmons School of Mortuary Science. Dick was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII where he was a Sargent and was awarded the Bronze Star and several other honorable medals. He served with the 94th Infantry Battalion and took part in several battles throughout Africa and Europe Theatre including the Normandy Hedgerows, Rhineland, Battle of the Bulge and the invasion of Berlin. After the war Dick served with the U.S. Army Military as a guard at the Nuremburg Trails. Most of his life, starting at the age of fourteen Dick worked for three generations of the Jackson family who owned funeral homes in Fonda and Fultonville, also their ambulance service. He later continued working for the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home in Fultonville. Dick was also employed at General Electric Company for over 35 years in their Advertising and Sales Department. He was a member of the Fonda Reformed Church for 73 years and he was a former Deacon and a member of the Christian Men. Dick was a member and former Commander of Post 942 VFW in Fonda; member of the Board of Directors of Evergreen Cemetery; member of the Mohawk Seniors; member of the FJ&G Square Dancing group; member of the General Electric Quarter Century Club; member of the former Fonda Fire Department Company 1 & 2; member of the Fultonville lodge #531 F&AM for over 50 years; member of the Johnstown Moose #1185; member and held office of the Fonda Alumni Association and Life Member of the 94th Infantry Association. Over the years Dick enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and his community. He loved to travel and go square dancing with his wife Lois. On February 2, 1952 Dick married the former Lois A. Lotridge. Besides his wife he is survived by his son, Jerry Collins of Fonda; his daughter, Jan Woodcock and her husband Curt; a brother, John "Jack" Collins of Florida; two grandchildren, Scott Woodcock of Miami, Florida and Sarah Woodcock of Johnstown; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 11:00 am at the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main Street, Fultonville with the Rev. Jennifer Yeske and Rev. Karen Patterson officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Sand Flats, Fonda with Military Honors. The Family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm at the funeral home. The Glen- Mohawk Seniors will have a service at 4:00 pm; Post 942 VFW at 6:00 pm and the Masonic Lodge at 6:30 pm on Wednesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Dick's memory to the Fonda Reformed Church Stained Glass Fund, 21 Broadway, Fonda, NY 12068 or to the Frothingham Free Library, 28 W. Main Street, Fonda, NY 12068.