John W. Collins, age 58, passed peacefully on June 6th. He was the son of the late James T. and Margaret (Hopkins) Collins. John graduated from Claymont High School, and attended the Chubb Institute. After a career as a Network Engineer, John established Collins Portable Milling, a saw mill service which he ran until becoming ill with cancer in 2020.
John enjoyed traveling, having visited Ireland, Sweden, Wales and Denmark. A lifelong firearms enthusiast, he was a competitive shooter and held the Delaware State Smallbore Championship for 4 years. At age 16 he achieved the Distinguished Expert designation for smallbore rifle in the NRA Junior Olympic Shooting Program, and he competed in the National Junior Olympic Shooting Championship at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
In addition to traveling, John was an accomplished woodworker and machinist and also enjoyed cooking.
John was predeceased by his parents, and brothers James P. and David. He is survived by his siblings Joseph of Claymont, Paul and his wife Audrey of New Canaan CT, Margaret and her husband Don Coffin of Berlin MD, and sister-in-law Gail Collins of Wilmington, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the care and kindness that John received from the staff at Kutz Rehabilitation and Nursing and Compassionate Care Hospice.
Services and interment will be private.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
