George D. Collins

July 23, 1941-December 13, 2011

George David Collins, 70, passed away Tuesday, December 13. He was born July 23, 1941 in Monroe County Michigan. He worked as a reporter and editor at the Monroe (Michigan) Evening News for 15 years before moving to Florida in 1974. He did public relations work for St. Joseph hospital and the Charlotte County Fair and edited the Florida Landowner magazine but considered himself a newspaperman. He was Editor of the Flagler Tribune,a Bureau chief for the Tampa Tribune, Editor for the Charlotte Sun,and Managing editor for the Daily Herald News in Punta Gorda. Following his Public Relations years he returned to the Charlotte Sun and was Editor of the Weekly Record until retirement.He was a recipient of the Florida Press Association and National Newspaper awards for newspaper excellence.

He was a charter member of the Edgewater United Methodist Church, member of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and their Christmas Parade Committee, a member of the Michigan State University Band Fans, a PCHS Band Booster, and while in Flagler he helped found the Flagler County Share-a-Meal program.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Meg,and his son, Christopher of Port Charlotte.

Friends may gather at 9:30 AM to be followed by a Memorial Service at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 17, at Kays-Ponger Funeral Home in Port Charlotte. To light a candle in George's name please visit www.kays-ponger.com Funeral arrangements entrusted to Kays-Ponger Uselton Funeral Home and Cremation Services Port Charlotte Chapel.