William J. Collins

Shrewsbury

William J. Collins, Jr., 52, of Shrewsbury died Saturday, January 7, 2006 at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. He leaves his devoted wife of 23 years, Renee' (Leusden). He was the proud father of two sons, William J. III and Daniel G., both of Shrewsbury. He is also survived by his parents, Frances R. (Arenda) and William J. Collins, Sr. of Harwichport and Worcester; four sisters, Rosemary O'Keefe and her husband Thomas J. of Cotuit, MA, Joanne Grandy and her husband Robert D. of Toronto Ontario, Canada, Mary Elisabeth DuPuy and her husband David C. of Mobile, Alabama, Patricia Toner and her husband William T. of Montecito, CA, and14 nieces and nephews.

An outstanding hockey goalie for St. John's High School, Bill was given the Pioneer Award for Hockey and chosen for the Central Mass Conference All Star Team in 1971. He played Junior A hockey for Drumondville in Quebec, Canada and for Fitchburg State College. He also served as head hockey coach for Worcester State College.

The proprietor of Stoney O'Brien's, a local watering hole, "Irish Billy" had a renowned memory on subjects ranging from historical facts to sports trivia and would regale friends with stories - "to make a long story longer." Stoney's sponsored many teams from darts to softball and is home base to the Worcester Rubgy Football Club.
For many years Mr. Collins ran the family owned Seadar Inn in Harwichport on Cape Cod.

The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. in St. John's Church, 44 Temple St., Worcester. Following cremation, burial will be at the convenience of the family in Moutain View Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday, Jan. 11. from 4 to 8 PM at Callahan & Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St.. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his honor to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology, 44 Binney Street, Boston Ma 02115