Long-Time St. Gerald's Parishioner John Collins Dies At 76

Caption: Oak Lawn resident John Collins with his son, Dan.

Long-time St. Gerald’s parishioner and former Oak Lawn planning commissioner John Joseph Collins passed away on August 20 at the age of 76.

Mr. Collins was born in Chicago on March 20, 1938 to Mae and Sidney Collins. He grew up with two older brother, Charlie (Mary) deceased, and Joe (Erica) in Visitation Parish at 55th Avenue and Halsted Street.

He was married to his “Beloved One and Only” Alice (Halpin), for 54 wonderful years. The couple moved to Oak Lawn in 1962, where they raised five children, Jack (Angel), Mike (Chris), Bill (Joanne), Dan (Nancy), and his princess, Amy Collins Suessen (Terry).

As the Collins children left home to marry and build their own homes, the family motto became “1-800-Call-Dad,” his obituary noted.

Mr. Collins was a proud, loyal member of Pipefitters Local 597 for 43 hard-working years. At St. Gerald Parish he was a devoted Eucharistic Minister and visited the homebound, as well as serving as the Boy Scout Leader from 1972 until 1978. He also served on the Oak Lawn Planning and Development Commission.

In 2004 he and wife, Alice, established “GIFTS FROM HOME.” Through the generosity and concern of hundreds of people, thousands of Christmas gifts were sorted and packed by many friends and mailed to military members in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The standard line at the Oak Lawn Post Office was: “Oh, here comes John and his boxes. I’m taking my lunch break,” the family said.

In recent years, Mr. and Mrs. Collins served on the fundraising committee to build a new activity center and gym for St. Gerald Parish and School. Through their hard work and selfless service, the activity center was named for their grandson, Marine LCpl. Jonathan Collins, who was killed in combat while serving in Iraq in 2004 when he was 19.

Mr. Collins was noted for his hospitality. Family members said that no one had more fun than he did at his home with friends close at hand. In times of need he was a true source of comfort to his nieces and nephews. His family noted:

“Whether they called him Papa or Grandpa his grandchildren thrilled his heart. Brandon O.L.P.D. (Catherine), Lcpl Jonathan Collins USMC (KIA Iraq, 8-8-04), Lauren, Devon, Mikey, Courtney, Kayla, Moira, Maeve, Cian, Danny, Aidan, Claire, Katie, Liam, Finnegan and Keegan. Equally treasured were his great-grandchildren, Bryden, London and Remi. Camp Collins came to life every summer in John’s backyard with a swimming pool, a tree house that he and Mikey built, and of course, ice cream.”

The family also expressed a special heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Jorge Balandrin, Dr. Amar Hamad and the many compassionate oncology nurses at Advocated Christ Medical Center, including Pat, Lena and Judy, who “were his angels who wrapped their wings around him.”

Visitation will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, August 22, at Thompson and Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St., in Oak Lawn.

A funeral is planned for 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, from Thompson & Kuenster to St. Gerald Church, 9310 S. Central Ave. in Oak Lawn, for Mass at 11 a.m. Interment is at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John Collins’ name to the Jonathan Collins Activity Center at the Family of St. Gerald Parish.

Family and friends may also leave their condolences on Mr. Collins’ online guest book.