Memorial For Former Norwalk Mayor Scheduled For October

NORWALK, CT — Family, friends and colleagues of former Norwalk Mayor Bill Collins will gather together Oct. 8 for a "celebration of life" memorial service in his honor.

The service will be held at the Maritime Aquarium, located at 10 North Water Street in Norwalk, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to an announcement from the city.

Collins died July 21 in a car accident in New Mexico, city officials said.

The service, which will feature remembrances of Collins' life from his family and wide circle of friends, will celebrate the former mayor's remarkable activities and lasting achievements as local leader, state legislator, statewide advocate for progressive issues, op ed columnist and international traveler.

City officials noted the aquarium was "a crowning achievement of [Collins'] terms as mayor and a signature landmark for his nationally-recognized urban preservation project of the SoNo District." Due to this, the aquarium has donated its space for the memorial.

The public is invited to join the service in person or via live streaming on Zoom, the link for which will be publicized the week prior to the event, city officials said.

Those who wish to attend the service in person are requested to RSVP in advance by sending an email to either former Norwalk Mayor Alex Knopp at alex.knopp20@gmail.com or to Kay Anderson at kaya06851@gmail.com.

Knopp and Anderson are working with Collins' family to plan the event, city officials said. Light refreshments will be served.