Richard James Collins M.D.

Avon: Died at home at the age of 91 in Avon, New York, on July 25th 2016. Born at home on August 10, 1924 and raised in Avon, NY, Dr. Collins graduated from Colgate University in 1945. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester during World War II, while serving in the U.S. Army (1942-1946). His medical school class was one of several who completed their medical training at an accelerated pace, in an effort to turn out doctors as quickly as possible during wartime. He graduated in 1947 at the age of 23 and then completed his residency in medicine in 1949. He subsequently joined his father, Dr. George R. Collins, in practice in Avon. He married the redheaded love of his life, Mary Finnigan, in 1948 and went on to raise a large and loving family. Dr. Collins rejoined the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1951 and served in Korea from 1952-1953 as the doctor for both American soldiers and thousands of North Korean POWs. He was discharged with the rank of Captain and then resumed his medical practice with his father until his father’s death in 1955. After several years of solo practice, he forged a close partnership with colleague and brother-in-law Dr. Robert B. Hayes. Together Richard and his father George served the medical needs of the Avon area community for all but one decade of the 20th century. Dr. Collins retired from practice in 1994.

Dr. Collins was a devoted alumnus of the University of Rochester and a life member of its Board of Trustees, also serving on the boards of the University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Partners Health System. His energies and talents have been directed to many issues, among them medical and nursing education and quality assurance. In 2006, Dr. Collins was the recipient of the U of R School of Medicine and Dentistry Alumni Service Award.

Dr. Collins served as the Avon Town and Livingston County Republican Vice Chairman and Chairman for many years. In this role he recruited and supported many talented public office holders. He practiced politics like it was community medicine, to better serve his patients beyond the confines of a small town medical practice.
He will be remembered for his keen observations of human nature and his delightful sense of humor. Dr. Collins was devoted to his family and was counselor and confidant to countless extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

He is survived by his brother Bernard (Patricia), and sister Marcia (Polly) (Robert) Hayes; his children Timothy (Anne), Michael (Hilda), Kathleen Collins Wooddell, Molly Collins Offner, and Bernard (Lory Leshin); his eight grandchildren, Myles (Hasmik Badalian), Sean (Tanaya Shree), Alison Antony (Anil), Sarah Collins McGowan (Aaron), Hannah Collins, Daniel Wooddell, Mary Shu Yu Offner, and Yannick Collins; nine great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and scores of friends. He is predeceased by his parents, George and Mary Elizabeth (Bess) Collins; his wife of 67 years, Mary Finnigan Collins; his brothers George, John, Charles, David, and Paul; his sisters Mary (Mimi) Kelley, Margaret (Peg) Westfall, Martha Cullinan, and Maureen (Joan) Warren; his son-in-law Paul Offner; and infant daughter Elizabeth Mary.

Remembrances may be made on his behalf to: “The Dr. Richard “Rip” and Mary F. Collins Fund for Medical Student Scholarship” at the University of Rochester through the following address: Dr. Richard J. and Mary F. Collins Endowment c/o of Dianne Moll, University of Rochester, Alumni and Advancement Center, 300 E. River Road, Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627- 8996.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home, 350 Genesee Street, Avon, New York on Thursday, July 28th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A requiem Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday July 29th at St. Agnes Church, 108 Prospect Street, Avon, New York.