Paul Michael Collins

South Portland - It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of our oldest brother Paul Michael Collins. Paul passed away on Friday March 10, 2023, after a long and hard fought battle with cancer. His tenacious will over the past 15 years and refusal to let this disease define or defeat him was awe-inspiring. Despite his considerable suffering, Paul maintained a positive attitude and surprisingly active lifestyle almost until the end.   Paul was born on September 14, 1958 and spent most of his formative years in the Sunset Park area of South Portland. He graduated from SPHS and studied biology at USM for 2 years before completing a 1-year certificate in Wastewater Treatment Technology at SMVTI (now SMCC). He dedicated his entire career to the vitally important work of protecting water resources, most recently for the City of South Portland from which he retired in 2022.   Paul also cultivated a wide-ranging interest in music. From classical and opera to rock and jazz, he relished listening to many musical genres on high fidelity audio equipment, about which he became very knowledgeable and continuously refined throughout his life. Prior to his illness, Paul was an avid weight lifter and maintained some form of strength and conditioning activity until only recently. He also greatly enjoyed riding high-performance sport motorcycles and attended “Superbike School” to hone his road riding skills.   Paul was accomplished at many things, but even more notable than what he did is who he was as a person. Paul loved his family and friends deeply and completely. His devotion to his nieces, nephews and godchildren made his eyes sparkle. Paul’s great love of children manifested as an almost child-like humor and willingness to laugh along with them. They, in turn, greatly loved Uncle Luap and together spent countless hours frolicking in his beloved Sebago Lake. He was also very compassionate about the care of wayward animals – and in particular cats. He housed, healed and nurtured perhaps dozens over the course of his life.   Paul could also be exacting, demanding and…stubborn! His considerable intelligence occasionally made it difficult for him to appreciate how some of us needed a bit more time to approach his level of understanding. Many of us continued to converse (and argue!) with him about smoothing some of these rough edges right up until the end. Even so, Paul was a fundamentally decent and generous person.   We would like to express our gratitude to the Damons: Mark, Deb, Madison and Bronson were incredibly supportive and helpful throughout Paul’s illness, as were Fred Dillon and Line Pelletier. Please know he loved you deeply.   Paul was predeceased by his father John; mother, Beverly; and sister-in-law, Denyse. He leaves behind brothers John (Katherine) Collins, Timothy Collins, Robert Collins, and William (Jason) Palmer - including his beloved nieces and nephews; Ashleigh Algiere and husband Nick, Alyssa Collins, Cameron Collins, Abigail Collins, Sean Collins, Tetty Collins and Erin Babb and her husband Cameron. Paul also leaves behind the newest members of the Sebago Lake family, Andrew and Margaret Algiere.   To quote Paul’s favorite TV show “Live long and prosper”   We love you Paul and we will miss you. A Graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Cedarbrook Burial Grounds, 175 Boothby Road, Limington, ME. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel. To view Paul’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com