Francis R. Collins

SOUTH PORTLAND—Francis R. Collins, Sr., 90, of South Portland, died Thursday October 20, 2022 in Yarmouth. He was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on May 27, 1932 the son of Sidney and Aurora (Vermette) Collins. He grew up in the Northern New Hampshire towns of Whitefield, Jefferson and Lancaster. As a teenager, he became part of Howard and Elsie Merrow's loving family. In 1950 at the age of 17, Francis enlisted in the US Army where he served 3 years in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from Germany, Francis married the love of his life, Barbara Wass from South Portland, and shared 63 years of marriage before her passing in 2016. He was employed by the US Navy and worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he retired in 1986 as a Welding Supervisor. Francis was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing and could often be spotted in his hunting clothes. He was a neighborhood icon where he would sit outside and talk for hours with his many friends and neighbors while they walked the neighborhood. He enjoyed dining out, where he met many close friends and enjoyed their breakfast club which lasted for several decades. Francis also had many friends who assisted him with his daily living and was so grateful for Debi Kelly, Joanne Kennedy, Mary Lou Mundy, the "Ernies" and Karen. He cherished spending time with all of his family during his life. Mr. Collins is survived by his son, Francis R. Collins, Jr. and his wife Donna; his daughter, Deborah Hambelton and her husband Michael; his grandchildren, Richard Collins and his wife Jennifer; Jason Webber and his wife Christine; Jaime Griffin and her husband Joseph; and Amy Hambelton; and his great-grandchildren, Hannah and Mason Collins; Kyle and Jasmine Webber; and Samuel and Tiaylah Griffin; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and four sisters, Claire Vermette; Mary Villeneuve; Gloria Green; and Yvonne Hartshorn. There will be a funeral service at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland on Tuesday October 25, 2022 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am prior to the service. Burial will be in Brooklawn Cemetery in Portland, Maine. To view Francis’ memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make memorial contributions in Francis memory to: Meals on Wheels/Southern Maine Agency on Aging, 310 Broadway, South Portland, ME 04106