Obituary of Raymond Collins JR

Raymond Joseph Collins, Jr., 80, of Niskayuna, died January 13, 2010 at his home in Niskayuna. He was born on April 29, 1929 in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Raymond and Anna Collins. A graduate of Boston English High School, Ray completed his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1953 from Boston College. That same year he married the former Josephine Ryan of Roxbury, MA who survives at home. During the Korean War, Ray served as a reservist in the Marine Corps in Massachusetts and then was called to active duty in Quantico, VA. Collins' career spanned nearly four decades with General Electric. He started with GE in the MTP program. His career included procurement, production control and production systems. While most of his work was at the Schenectdy Large Steam Turbine Generator plant, he also worked in Lynn, MA, Cincinnati, OH, Waterford, NY and Pittsfield, MA. Ray enjoyed summer vactions with family on Cape Cod and vacationing in Florida with friends and family during the winter months. A member of the Electric City Barbershop Chorus and St. Clare's Choraleers, Ray was also involved with the GE Elfun Society and with the Niskayuna High School Boosters Club. Ray served as an officer in the St. Helen's chapter of the Knights of Columbus. Collins was a fourth degree Knight. He was predeceased by his brother, William Collins of Centerville, Ohio and survvived by his sister, Helen Welch of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his wife of 56 years; and children, Donald and his wife, Linda (Kenney) Collins of Schenectady, NY, Richard and his wife, Anne (McKenna) Collins of Olney, MD, Paula and her husband, James Stants of Niskayuna, NY, Stephen and his wife, Pamela (Ficarra)Collins of Lake Worth, FL, Diane and her husband, Daniel Palese of Lakewood, CO, Kathleen and her husband, Ralph Perrone of Queensbury, NY, and Jean and her husband, Alexander Luniewski of Gallupville, NY. Surviving grandchildren include Christine and Lauren Stants, Michael, Elizabeth and Emily Collins, Ryan, Zachary and Haylie Collins, Timothy and Gregory Palese, Ralph John Perrone, Samantha and Megan Luniewski. Mr. Collins is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. from St. Helen's Church. The interment will follow at the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, should be made to St. Helen's Church or Community Hospice of Schenectady.