Valley Falls- John H. “Jack” Collins, 93, of State Street, passed away peacefully at home in the bed that he loved, Sunday, February 9, 2025. Born in Stephentown on July 12, 1931, to the late Beulah May Pratt Collins and the late John H. Collins Sr.
Jack grew up in Raymertown, where he worked at the Rowland Farm. He attended the Raymertown Academy, Knickerbocker Junior High, and Lansingburgh High School. He then went on to serve in the United States Army, having attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. Jack retired from Fort Edward Express in 1990. After retirement, he operated his own portable sawmill and did custom milling.
As President of the Hoosic Valley Booster Club, he led the club in funding sports programs at Hoosic Valley when the sports budgets were voted down. Through his friendship with the late Leon Smith, he purchased a Fried Dough Booth at the Schaghticoke Fair, which is still operating today as a major fund raiser for the Booster Club.
Jack enjoyed serving as a trustee to the Elmwood Cemetery Association and attended the Hoosic Valley Community Church. He loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was a master at building and fixing just about everything. He was well known for smoking foods in the smokehouse that he built, especially around Christmastime, when he smoked cheese and bacon. Jack also enjoyed making homemade sauerkraut every fall.
Jack and his wife wintered in Florida, where they made long lasting friendships in the music community, and he became the official videographer for music jams and productions. Jack was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and his family, past and present.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Flora Elizabeth Spigner Collins (Bonny/Lady), his children, John (Marianne), David (Kim), Edward (Maura), Barbara (Michael DeSantis), and Carolyn Collins. Loving grandfather to Olivia Farrell (Shane Peatfield) and Kayleigh Collins; Emily and Mary Collins, Laura Trautwein (Hayden); Meaghan, John (Aidan) and Helynn Collins; Elizabeth, Flora, and Vivienne Whitney; Isabella Boberg (Ethan), and John (Jack)Wiley. Great-grandfather to Jameson and Jeremiah Boberg, Collins Trautwein, and Nolan Peatfield. Jack is also survived by his brother, Robert Collins of Vermont, along with several nephews and nieces.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the the Hoosic Valley Community Church, 2024 NY-40, Schaghticoke, on Saturday, February 15th from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., followed by funeral service at 3:15 p.m. officiated by Rev Clyde McCaskill.
Burial in the spring at Elmwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Elmwood Cemetery Association, Schaghticoke, New York.
Jack grew up in Raymertown, where he worked at the Rowland Farm. He attended the Raymertown Academy, Knickerbocker Junior High, and Lansingburgh High School. He then went on to serve in the United States Army, having attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. Jack retired from Fort Edward Express in 1990. After retirement, he operated his own portable sawmill and did custom milling.
As President of the Hoosic Valley Booster Club, he led the club in funding sports programs at Hoosic Valley when the sports budgets were voted down. Through his friendship with the late Leon Smith, he purchased a Fried Dough Booth at the Schaghticoke Fair, which is still operating today as a major fund raiser for the Booster Club.
Jack enjoyed serving as a trustee to the Elmwood Cemetery Association and attended the Hoosic Valley Community Church. He loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was a master at building and fixing just about everything. He was well known for smoking foods in the smokehouse that he built, especially around Christmastime, when he smoked cheese and bacon. Jack also enjoyed making homemade sauerkraut every fall.
Jack and his wife wintered in Florida, where they made long lasting friendships in the music community, and he became the official videographer for music jams and productions. Jack was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and his family, past and present.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Flora Elizabeth Spigner Collins (Bonny/Lady), his children, John (Marianne), David (Kim), Edward (Maura), Barbara (Michael DeSantis), and Carolyn Collins. Loving grandfather to Olivia Farrell (Shane Peatfield) and Kayleigh Collins; Emily and Mary Collins, Laura Trautwein (Hayden); Meaghan, John (Aidan) and Helynn Collins; Elizabeth, Flora, and Vivienne Whitney; Isabella Boberg (Ethan), and John (Jack)Wiley. Great-grandfather to Jameson and Jeremiah Boberg, Collins Trautwein, and Nolan Peatfield. Jack is also survived by his brother, Robert Collins of Vermont, along with several nephews and nieces.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the the Hoosic Valley Community Church, 2024 NY-40, Schaghticoke, on Saturday, February 15th from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., followed by funeral service at 3:15 p.m. officiated by Rev Clyde McCaskill.
Burial in the spring at Elmwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Elmwood Cemetery Association, Schaghticoke, New York.
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