John Joseph Collins, 78, went home to be with the Lord May 7, 2010, after a long illness.
A West Akron resident since 1970, he was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was one of four children. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He earned a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and then went on to earn an executive award from the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University and Williams College.
He started working at General Tire Rubber Co. in 1957 in New York, then was transferred to Akron in 1970. He retired from Gen Corp. after 35 years as the national manager of the chemical/plastics and industrial products division.
He met his soul mate, Mary, when he was 20 and they were married for more than 50 years. He was known for his famous New York-style pizza and delicious grilled turkey. He was the best husband, dad and grandfather anyone could have. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Collins; his son, Brian (Noreen) Collins; his daughters, Mary Ellen (Harold) Johnson, Kathleen Collins (fiancé Sean Gerski), and Christine (Rob) Heiser; his grandchildren -- who called him papa -- Alicia and Sean Collins, Griffin and Victoria Johnson, and Russel, Ava and Layla Heiser; his sisters, Irene (Tom) Kissick and Joan Lewis; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Harry and Margaret Collins, and brother, Harry Collins.
A West Akron resident since 1970, he was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was one of four children. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He earned a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and then went on to earn an executive award from the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University and Williams College.
He started working at General Tire Rubber Co. in 1957 in New York, then was transferred to Akron in 1970. He retired from Gen Corp. after 35 years as the national manager of the chemical/plastics and industrial products division.
He met his soul mate, Mary, when he was 20 and they were married for more than 50 years. He was known for his famous New York-style pizza and delicious grilled turkey. He was the best husband, dad and grandfather anyone could have. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Collins; his son, Brian (Noreen) Collins; his daughters, Mary Ellen (Harold) Johnson, Kathleen Collins (fiancé Sean Gerski), and Christine (Rob) Heiser; his grandchildren -- who called him papa -- Alicia and Sean Collins, Griffin and Victoria Johnson, and Russel, Ava and Layla Heiser; his sisters, Irene (Tom) Kissick and Joan Lewis; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Harry and Margaret Collins, and brother, Harry Collins.
John Joseph Collins, 78, went home to be with the Lord May 7, 2010, after a long illness.
A West Akron resident since 1970, he was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was one of four children. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He earned a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and then went on to earn an executive award from the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University and Williams College.
He started working at General Tire Rubber Co. in 1957 in New York, then was transferred to Akron in 1970. He retired from Gen Corp. after 35 years as the national manager of the chemical/plastics and industrial products division.
He met his soul mate, Mary, when he was 20 and they were married for more than 50 years. He was known for his famous New York-style pizza and delicious grilled turkey. He was the best husband, dad and grandfather anyone could have. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Collins; his son, Brian (Noreen) Collins; his daughters, Mary Ellen (Harold) Johnson, Kathleen Collins (fiancé Sean Gerski), and Christine (Rob) Heiser; his grandchildren -- who called him papa -- Alicia and Sean Collins, Griffin and Victoria Johnson, and Russel, Ava and Layla Heiser; his sisters, Irene (Tom) Kissick and Joan Lewis; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Harry and Margaret Collins, and brother, Harry Collins.
A West Akron resident since 1970, he was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was one of four children. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He earned a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and then went on to earn an executive award from the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University and Williams College.
He started working at General Tire Rubber Co. in 1957 in New York, then was transferred to Akron in 1970. He retired from Gen Corp. after 35 years as the national manager of the chemical/plastics and industrial products division.
He met his soul mate, Mary, when he was 20 and they were married for more than 50 years. He was known for his famous New York-style pizza and delicious grilled turkey. He was the best husband, dad and grandfather anyone could have. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Collins; his son, Brian (Noreen) Collins; his daughters, Mary Ellen (Harold) Johnson, Kathleen Collins (fiancé Sean Gerski), and Christine (Rob) Heiser; his grandchildren -- who called him papa -- Alicia and Sean Collins, Griffin and Victoria Johnson, and Russel, Ava and Layla Heiser; his sisters, Irene (Tom) Kissick and Joan Lewis; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Harry and Margaret Collins, and brother, Harry Collins.
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