Joseph “Rusty” F. Collins, Jr. of Woodbury, Connecticut died peacefully on April 2, 2015 surrounded by his family after a brief battle with cancer. Joseph was born on August 2, 1946 in Danbury to the late Joseph F. Collins Sr. and Christine (MacDonald) Collins.
Joseph was raised in New Fairfield and graduated as a draftsman from Henry Abbott Tech in 1965. He served in the U.S. Navy’s 6th fleet in the Mediterranean Sea on the USS Sylvania from 1966 to 1968.
Upon his return home he married Judy Jensen in July of 1969 and settled in Danbury. He then joined the Danbury Police Department in 1969 where he worked his way through the ranks as Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant until retiring in 2004.
In addition to his wife Judy, he is survived by his four children: Stacy Collins Grimm and David Grimm of Danbury CT; Dennis Collins and Kim Dekker Collins of Danbury CT; Maureen Natale and Randy Natale of Bellville, IL; Karen Lang and Kurt Lang of Roxbury CT and six grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters: Marietta Janutolo of Palm Bay FL, Laura Collins of Guilford CT and Nancy Collins of New Bedford MA.
Joseph was an outstanding community servant, an amazing father, and grandfather. He will always be in our hearts and will be deeply missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 10:30am at St. Peter Church, Danbury with the Rev. Gregg Mecca, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 from 5pm to 8pm at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.
Contributions in Joseph’s memory may be made to the Catholic War Veterans, 2 Shalvoys Lane, Danbury, CT 06810 or to the Danbury Police Athletic League, 35 Hayestown Road, Danbury, CT 06811.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18