W. E. "Ed" Collins, Jr.

W.E. "Ed" Collins, Jr. was known for his great love of his daughters (“the girls”), wife and family. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 13, 2021 with his family by his side.

Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, his family moved when he was a teenager to Hartford, CT where he later met his wife and high-school sweetheart Evelyn (Arnold) Collins. This began a 55-year journey that led them to Stoughton, Massachusetts where he began a 43-year corporate career in procurement and logistics for Bradlees and Stop & Shop/Ahold USA.

The move to Massachusetts is where he developed a love for Boston sports. He spent many seasons celebrating Celtics and Red Sox championships while attending Duck Boat parades during the New England Patriots’ 20-year Super Bowl run.

His love for his family was untouchable. When his daughters were young, and since all of his family were in Hartford, he traveled back on a regular basis so that his daughters would know their family. He also began summer vacations on Cape Cod, which became an annual family tradition featuring cookouts, beaches, bikes and fun. The Cape is also where he developed a love for deep sea fishing spending hours off the coast catching porgies and bass. He made sure the tradition would continue by teaching his daughters and grandchildren.

W.E. lived by the mantra “take care of each other” instilling this not only in his own children, but also his nieces and nephews who he often called just to say hello and I love you. This attribute made him one of those people you would love to have as a neighbor. Not only was he a master gardener nurturing beautiful lawns and flowers, he looked out for you and spoke to everyone, much to the chagrin of his children in their younger years but later became endearing. Upon retiring, W.E. moved to Laurel, MD, made new friends and began volunteering at Elizabeth House, a local meal kitchen and food pantry.

W.E. will be lovingly remembered by his wife Evelyn, three daughters, Andrea Springer (Warren), Stephanie Hammond (Boudra) and Jennifer Collins; four grandchildren, Amber Collins-Brooks (O’Dell), Ason Hammond, Warren Springer, III, Solomon Hammond and great-granddaughter Hope Brooks. W.E. will also be forever loved and remembered by his surviving siblings Curtis Collins (Betty), Jesse Collins (Clara), Luticia Collins and many devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation services will take place on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 11:00a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00p.m. at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, 114 Saint Mary’s Place, Laurel, MD 20707. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Fish of Laurel/Elizabeth House, 308 Gorman Ave, Laurel, MD 20707 or visit their website to donate online: www.fishoflaurel.org.

Services will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.  To access livestream on Thursday, March 18th click HERE.  Also, please feel free to share your condolences and memories with Mr. Collins' family on our tribute page.  

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