FARMINGTON – Saul Vernon Collins, Sr., 86, a lifelong resident of Rangeley, passed peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday Sept. 15, 2010, at Orchard Park Rehabilitation and Living Center where he had resided since early June.
He was born Jan. 12, 1924, in Rangeley, a son of Vernon Daniel and Alice Esma (Ross) Collins. He received his education in Rangeley schools and was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during WWII.
On Sept. 12, 1942, in Rangeley, he married his sweetheart, Margaret Fuller of Oquossoc. Just last week they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.
He was a self-employed carpenter and gas business owner in Rangeley for many years, and proudly drove the school bus for the Rangeley Lakes Regional School.
Saul was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rangeley, and over the years had served on the church vestry committee. He was a volunteer firefighter for the town, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a member of the American Legion and the Lions Club.
His hobbies included reading, watching old western movies and building in his workshop with his grandchildren. He and his wife enjoyed traveling; especially their three trips to Hawaii.
Loved by many, he will be remembered as a kind, gentle man with a quick, dry wit.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Margaret, of Rangeley; three sons: Saul Collins, Jr. of Leesburg, Florida; Earle M. Collins of Franconia, NH; Geoff Robbins and his wife, Marci of Portland; three daughters: Joan Meade and her husband, Charlie of Lake Placid, Florida; Judy Ellis and her husband, Rex of Rangeley and Carole Kane and her husband, Gavin of Wilton; one brother, Ardine Collins and his wife, Margie of Rangeley; two sisters: Mickey Thibault of Rangeley and Jean Bennett and her husband, Rolfe of Berlin, NH; 10 grandchildren: Lindsay Ellis, Courtney Ellis, Connor Kane, Caitlin Kane, Chelsea Kane, Sandy Maxey, Mike Meade, Jeff Collins, Jennifer Collins, Brandi Collins; five great-grandchildren: Wade Meade, Hayley Meade, Jake Maxey, Hanna Maxey, Katie Maxey.
He was predeceased by two grandchildren: Chuck Collins and Bruce Collins and two brothers: Elden Collins and Ronald Collins.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Chapel of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Main St., Rangeley, Saturday from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Church Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., followed by committal services at Evergreen Cemetery, Rangeley. Following services, all are welcome to a reception in the church undercroft, hosted by the ECW. Those who wish may give remembrance gifts to the Rangeley Lakes Regional School Playground Project PO Box 97 Rangeley, Maine 04970. Tributes and condolences may be shared with his family at www.wilesrc.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 136 Farmington Falls Rd., Rtes. 2 & 27, Farmington.
