James L. Collins, Jr.

James. L Collins Jr, age 77, passed away peacefully at his home in Sarasota, Florida on Friday April 20, 2018. He was born on December 26, 1940, in Boston, Massachusetts to James Collins and Katherine (Downey) Collins. He grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts, and attended St. Katherine’s School and graduated from Somerville High School. He spent the majority of his free time in his youth fanning the flame of his entrepreneurial spirit, and displaying his natural athletic ability playing quarterback and basketball with the guys down at Cherry Park. He graduated from Bentley College with a degree in Accounting and continued his education by receiving a Masters Degree in Finance. While getting his education, James married Mary (Guilderson) Collins of Arlington, Massachusetts, on July 30, 1966. They eventually settled in Lexington, Massachusetts. James used his education to ascend from a blue-collar background to achieve the position of Vice President of Rates for Algonquin Gas Transmissions. Due to health reasons he stepped away from his upper management position and worked on his true love-- Golf. James was an excellent golfer and worked very hard, as he did with all things, to continually improve his game. After a year of working on his game, he needed more of a challenge and became The Rates Analyst for the Middleborough Gas and Electric Company and moved to South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Within a few years he was promoted to the General Manager position, or Supreme Commander, as he liked to be called and guided the utility to many profitable years with excellent service and some of the most affordable rates for his customers in the business. James was also a very compassionate and fair executive and did his best to take care of his employees. After many years of hard work, James retired to live his lifelong dream. He moved to Sarasota Florida to play golf, and those that knew him had never seen him happier. He was loved, admired and respected by his family and friends. James is survived by his beloved wife Mary of 51 years; his son Sean and his wife Christine; his son David and his wife Sarah; 11 grandchildren, and his brother, Richard Collins and his wife Donna Collins, of Carbondale Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Friday April 27, 2018 at St. Martha Catholic Church, 200 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236.

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James L. Collins, Jr.

December 26, 1940 - April 20, 2018