Frank C. Collins Jr.

Frank C. Collins, Jr., 88, of East Hartford, loving husband of 43 years of Celia (Alexanian) Collins, peacefully passed away with his caring family by his side on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Born in Grafton, WV on February 24, 1932, a son of the late Frank C. and Mildred (Hamilton) Collins, he had been a resident of East Hartford for the past 64 years. Frank graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Psychology. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant during the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, Frank was employed by the Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, retiring as a Vice President of Organization and Management Development. He was responsible for corporate education, succession planning, organizational review, and counseling Senior Management in support of the Chairman and the Board of Directors. Since retirement, he had done consulting and strategic planning, training, and various board retreats for a number of not-for-profit corporations.

In 1970, Frank was elected to East Hartford Rotary where he had been an active member and past president of the club in 1978-1979. He served as District 7890 Governor from 1993-1994 and chaired many district conferences, was a parliamentarian, district trainer, foundation chairman, RYLA, GSE, Facilitator and Trainer at NE PETS, and many other committees.

Frank was also involved with Rotary International activities which included attendance at twenty-seven International conventions, serving on various panels and Sergeant-at-Arms, Council on Legislation. He was also on the Council on Legislation, an International Training Leader, and was a past Rotary International Vice President.

Frank was very involved in the East Hartford community. He was past chairman of the East Hartford Redevelopment Commission for 21 years, and chairman of the Economic Development Commission for 14 years. He was past president of the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce and a founder and past president of Main Street Plus, Inc. He served on the Executive Board for the Science Center of Connecticut, a board member of the local YMCA and chair of their capital fund drive, a vice chairman of CT Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), and past member of Manchester Community College Foundation. He also served as Chairman of Masonicare Restricted Fund, board member of Riverfront Recapture, Inc., CT Regional Tourism Executive Board, Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, and a member of the Trustee and Community Leaders Council of Goodwin University.

A man of strong faith, Frank was an active member of South Congregational Church of East Hartford. He was an avid fan of the UConn Women’s basketball team and liked gardening. He enjoyed traveling and going on cruises with his wife and visited over seventy countries. Frank received many awards for his community work which included the Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award, Solon Weiner Community Achievement Award, YMCA Volunteer Leadership Award, two CT General Assembly Official Citations, CT Easter Seals Society 75th Anniversary Founders Award, Rotary Citation for Meritorious Service, Rotary Service Above Self Award, and a Paul Harris Fellow.

In addition to his beloved wife Ceil, Frank is survived by two sons, William E. Collins and his wife Terri of Pleasant Valley, Richard A. Collins and his wife Cherie of Newtown; a daughter, Susan Prasser and her husband Rusty of East Hartford/Manchester; a sister, Carolyn Uhlig and her husband Walter of Cicero, NY; a sister-in-law, Lucille Claxton of Fairview, TX; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three nieces; a nephew; and many dear friends.

Due to the current health pandemic, a private funeral service and burial with military honors at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford will be at the convenience of the family. Frank’s family will receive relatives and friends at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 4 - 6 pm. Everyone is required to please wear a face covering and adhere to all of the regulations, which include a limited attendance inside the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Frank’s name may be made to the East Hartford Rotary Charitable Fund, P.O. Box 380035, East Hartford, CT 06138-0035 or to the Frank and Celia Collins Scholarship Fund @ Goodwin University, One Riverside Drive, East Hartford, CT 06118. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopoeh.com.