William S.

Collins

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William Stuart Collins, 84, a deeply cherished and beloved Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Partner- died peacefully at home in Sag Harbor, New York on December 20, 2023.

William was born on April 17, 1939, to Samuel and Constance (nee Verlegh) Collins in New York, NY. He spent much of his childhood and teenage years living in Sands Point, NY where he attended Friends Academy. William then went on to attend CW Post, graduating in the class of 1961. Upon graduation, William enlisted in the Navy and was actively serving or on reserve from 1961 to 1969. It was during this time that he met his former wife, Barbara Duffy (nee Brankowitz), and moved to Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, where they raised their five children.

Dissatisfied with his job selling china for the Japanese company, Sango, he purchased a heating and air conditioning company, HVAC, to operate in conjunction with a cushion business, Collins Cushions, he had inherited from his father. He successfully ran both businesses out of Moonachie, NJ for decades until his eventual retirement in the late 1990s.

In 1986 while driving around the area, enroute to a meeting for Collins Cushions, he fell in love with a home in Sag Harbor, NY. For ten years that home became the family's weekend getaway and his escape from the demands of running two businesses. Eventually he moved there fulltime and started practicing real estate, something that had always interested him.

He met his partner, Jean Irvine (nee Sephton), shortly after he became a licensed realtor. They worked side by side and ultimately retired together in the early 2000s, splitting their time between Sag Harbor and Palm Beach Gardens, FL. While they loved traveling to the islands, playing golf, and entertaining their many friends, they were truly happiest sitting quietly together on the deck with the newspaper, content to watch the boats in the cove and the grandkids loudly coming and going to and from the beach.

William is survived by his children Christine Barbiere (Bob Livingston), Catherine Stout (Art), Bill Collins (Barbara), and Jennifer Boland (David). He is predeceased by his son Peter Collins. William leaves behind a legacy of eleven grandchildren, Tabitha, Megan, Brittany, Jack, Sean, Ryan, Matthew, Billy, Brooke, Shelby, and Gwen and three great-grandchildren Tommy, Connor, and Eloise who all cherish the time spent with him fishing, tubing, clamming, and watching 60 minutes. He will live on in the currents of his beloved cove and in the hearts of all who loved him.

Celebration of his life to be held on December 29, 2023 at 11am at the Old Whaler's Church in Sag Harbor, NY.