Thomas Collins Obituary

Thomas M. Collins, Sr.
1938 - 2024
Springfield
Thomas M. Collins Sr., 86, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. He passed into Eternal Life at Renaissance Manor on Cabot in Holyoke surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Murreigh Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland on April 10, 1938, a beloved son of the late John and Johanna (Begley) Collins. He was raised and educated in Ireland and immigrated to Springfield in 1956 where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a longtime forklift operator for New England Container Company in Chicopee, and later was employed at the Hampden County Hall of Justice in Springfield. He was last employed as a groundskeeper for the Springfield Diocesan Cemeteries. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church and was a longtime communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church, both in Springfield. During his leisure time, he enjoyed working in his yard tending to his tomatoes and going for walks at Van Horn Park with his walking buddies, Diamond Shea and Bill Curran. Most of all, he loved to spend time with his family and many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and soulmate, Eileen M. (Baker) Collins who was Called Home on November 3, 2012. They were married on October 7, 1972 at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield and they were blessed with over 40 years of happiness together. He leaves his two loving and devoted sons, Thomas M. Collins Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, of Longmeadow, and Sean P. Collins and his partner, Lyndsey Nunes, of Chicopee; his cherished grandson, Thomas M. Collins III; his two dear sisters, Kathleen McGill of Holyoke, and Maureen Murnane and her husband, Patrick, of London, England; his brother, Sean Collins and his wife, Joan, of Ireland; his sister in law, Philemina Collins of Ireland; his brother in law, Michael J. Baker and his wife, Patricia, of Ludlow; and his many nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends in the United States and Ireland. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his brother, Seamus Collins; and his brother in law, John McGill. His Funeral will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (the funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His Burial will follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA 01129. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the Mass. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Sacred Heart Renovation Fund, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com