Daniel J. Collins

Daniel J. Collins was born on July 2, 1933, in his home in West Brighton, Staten Island to Catherine and Daniel Collins of County Sligo and County Kerry, Ireland. He graduated from Sacred Heart elementary school in 1947 and St. Peter’s High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954.

Dan was avid baseball player, pitching for Sacred Heart CYO team and St. Peter’s High School team as well as the Tompkinsville Blue Jays and the Fort Wadsworth Sentinels to name only a few. He worked for AT&T as a technician for 38 years. A faithful member of St. Rita’s Parish, he spent many years volunteering at weekly bingo nights. Dan was also a member of the Private Merrell Jr – Fr. Capodanno American Legion Post 1368.

Dan’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. He met his wife of 57 years, Ann, in Manasquan, NJ, and loved taking his children and grandchildren there for day trips and summer vacations. He was a member of Hillside Swim Club where he spent many summer days and senior dinners in the presence of good friends. He was quick with a laugh and loved to talk baseball, especially the Yankees, and recount stories of growing up on Staten Island. He made everyone he met feel welcomed and at home in his presence.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Collins, his children Mary Ellen (Steve) Laureno, Joanne (Mark) Roethlin and Daniel (Laurie) Collins and his grandchildren Megan, Stephen, Sarah and Angela Laureno and Kyle and Grace Roethlin and nieces and nephews.

He is pre deceased by his parents Daniel and Catherine Collins, brothers John and Thomas (Helen) Collins and sister Catherine (James) Hardenbergh