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Nancy & Joe MacQueen posted a condolence
Pastor Collins was a loving man of God. He was so supportve when I moved back to CT and was always a good friend to us and faithful to pray for our son on his trips to Peru.
Nancy and Joe</b></font><br><br>
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MARTIN CARLSON posted a condolence
I ONLY HAVE 1 FOND MEMORY TO SHARE WITH YOU. ITS KIND OF FUNNY; MY DAD WASN'T MUCH FOR SHOWING HIS BELIEF IN GOD, WHEN HE GOT SICK IN THE MID '80'S & THE HOSPITAL WOULD ASK WHO HE WANT TO SEE FOR SPIRITUAL HELP HE WOULD ALWAYS ASK FOR YOUR DAD. HE ALWAYS FELT THAT HE WAS TALKING STRAIGHT TO GOD WHEN HE CHATTED WITH YOUR DAD, HE WAS IN A WHOLE OTHER WORLD WHEN HE WAS AROOUND. HE LOVED CHATTING WITH YOUR DAD THOSE TIMES. MY DAD THOUGHT THE WORLD OF PASTOR. THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY ON MY BEHALF & MOM'S IS THAT NO MATTER WHAT WE WOULD CHAT WITH HIM ABOUT HE ALWAYS HAD AN ANSWER OF HOW GOD WOULD WANT YOU TO DO SOMETHING, OR WHAT GOD EXPECTS FOR YOU. AND IT WAS ALWAYS DONE IN A KIND & GENTLE MANNER. THE FEW TIMES MY MOM WOULD CHAT WITH YOOUR MOM & HIM IT WOULD CALM HER SPIRITS DOWN OR LIFT HER UP IF SHE WAS HAVING A BAD DAY. MAY GOD REALLY BLESS YOU NOW PASTOR. I KNOW GOD LOOKED AT HIM & "SAID WELL DONE GOOD & FAITHFUL SERVANT".
GOD TRUELY BLESSED US WITH YOU, PASTOR,
THE CARLSON'S
MARTY & MARY LOU</b></font><br><br>
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Marilyn Marcy-Tyler posted a condolence
I am grateful to have been a teenager under the direction of Pastor Collins and his lovely wife, Viola. They taught me so much about walking in Jesus and about dedicating my life to following Him. I will always remember the kind and loving way that they both ministered to me and my brothers when we were starting to make really important decisions. He came and spoke at mother's funeral in 2004 and he was so gracious to our family then. Marilyn Marcy-Tyler</b></font><br><br>
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CAROL A. KUBIK posted a condolence
MARK & ALL THE REST OF THE FAMILY I 2ANT TO EXPRESS MY SYMPATHY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR FATHERHE WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND A DEVOUT MAN OF GOD HIS STRONG WITNESS WILL REALLY BE MISSED I ALWAYS FELT A SPECIAL BOND WITH HIM AS WE WERE BOTH TAYLOR ALUMNI REGRET THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL AS I AM VISITING KATHY IN MINNESSOTTA UNTIL FEB. 28.WE CAN REST IN THE ASSURANCE THAT HE WILL KNOW NO MORE PAIN AND KNOW FIRST HAND THE COMFORT OF HIS LORD AND SAVIOR WHO HE SERVED SO FAITHFULLY HERE ON EARTH
IN CHRISTIAN LOVE
CAROL & KATHY KUBIK</b></font><br><br>
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Leonard Marcy posted a condolence
I was in my early teens when Connie and Viola came to Eastford Baptist. They both made an indelible impression upon my life for which I am eternally grateful. Connie was my "hero of the Faith" and I loved him dearly as a mentor, role model and friend. Heaven is so much richer as now both are in the presence of our Heavenly Father, never to be separated again.</b></font><br><br>
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Terry Herman posted a condolence
I am writing to express my sincere condolances at the loss of your loved family member. I regret not having the opportunity to have met the Reverend or I am certain my life would have been the richer for it. Having read his work here on earth in the eulogy for the Master is indeed awesome. I believe it will translate into those loving words "Well done my good and faithful servant".
Your Brother in Christ Jesus...</b></font><br><br>
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The Astiasaran Family posted a condolence
We offer our prayers to Rev. Collins and comfort to all the members of his family. Our deepest sympathies to Mark, Marta, Julia & Spencer. Our heartfelt love from,
The Astiasaran Family</b></font><br><br>
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Dean and Amanda Murray, Mia, Max & Ian posted a condolence
Our deepest sympathies to Karen and her brothers, and all the families. We are so pleased to have had the opportunity to meet your dad some years ago in Gorham. What a fabulous, gentle soul he was. God Bless you all.</b></font><br><br>
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Cindy Renzoni posted a condolence
I have so many wonderful memories of Pastor Collins I could fill an entire book!! I still see him clearly standing straight and tall in his Awana uniform, leading us kids in the Awana theme song (which I can, and often do sing to this day), the pledge of Allegiance and the Christian Pledge of Allegiance. I can hear his soft, kind, reassuring voice asking me why I wanted to get baptized; patiently explaining God's plan of salvation to my aunts, uncles and close family friends in my
parent's smoke-filled living room (I was SUPPOSED to be asleep, but got a first rate Bible education instead which formed and shaped my life in more ways than I will ever know), and preaching on a Sunday morning from the book of Daniel and the odd words "MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN". I remember how much he cared about all of us kids at Awana Camp and the smile he always gave us, particularly at snack bar while downing a black cow (it was dear old Pastor Collins who first enlightened me to the yummyness of this treat!). I remember how safe and secure I always felt around him--how I knew that he loved me, even though he never said it. I was keenly aware that he was very "different" than I was (years later I was able to put my childhood perceptions into words: he was conservative, quiet and subdued, while I was the EXACT OPPOSITE in both personality and in the way I expressed my faith)but was totally accepting of me and never judgemental. I never, ever remember him raising his voice, saying or doing ANYTHING unkind--frankly, as I sit here and think about it I realize he never behaved in anyway other than the model found in I Corinthians 13---and THAT is really remarkable!! I am so grateful to God that I was able to sit under his ministry for so many years and am more thankful still that God chose him to share the Gospel with my entire family --- taking hours and hours of his own time to instruct us and teach us in the way which we should go!! I can only imagine (and often do) the treasure troves waiting for that humble, Godly, selfless man who is now reunited with his lovely wife as well as in the loving arms of our wonderful Jesus. MARANATHA!!</b></font><br><br>
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Carole & Bill Simpson posted a condolence
We were truly touched by the news of your Dad's homegoing. You all are in our prayers as you go through this trying time and also for the weeks and months ahead.
We have lasting memories of your very special Dad. While you were all at HSBC and Bill was overseas, it was time for our daughter, Christine to be born. Labor was long, difficult and complicated. On that Sunday morning, the word came down that the doctors thought "they could save the mother, but that the baby most likely would not survive." Your Dad gathered my dearest friends all together in "my" choir loft and they prayed and prayed. At 12:24 p.m., Christine was born in good health and without brain damage. We were experiencing a blizzard at that time, but the first face I saw come to my room was his. I was still quite groggy, but I could see his smiling face looking down at me and he had tears in his eyes as he said to me "She's beautiful." (And she was!) I will never forget that moment. I have no doubt that God did a miracle because of your Dad's prayers. He will always have a very special place in our hearts.
Love and prayers,
Carole and Bill</b></font><br><br>
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Linda (Renzoni) Flynn posted a condolence
Dear Mark, Jack, Karen, David and families,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this hard time. We rejoice with you knowing your wonderful Dad is with our Savior, whom he so diligently served and loved; and is reunited with your dear Mom. Still, it is so sad for us who remain to be separated from those we love.
I have so many great memories of your father. He was my first pastor and he taught me so much about our Wonderful Lord and how to serve Him. What an incredible servant your Dad was. When I think of the heavy load he carried at Huntington Street Baptist Church I'm amazed at all he did. Not only did he spend hours studying and preparing messages, visiting the congregation, and everything else a good minister should do, but he was also the Awana and Teens Leader! I remember how he went to camp and stayed the week with us (and how he liked the root beer floats from the snack bar!) He made me feel so safe and secure, and enabled me to enjoy the week away from home. I've never known another pastor as hard working, kind, and giving of his time as your dad.
I also remember his strong character and integrity. I think back to the time in 1968 when my father, mother, and I were attending classes to be baptized, and your Dad uncompromisingly, told my father that he couldn't baptize him, as Dad hadn't truly become a Christian (my mom wasn't a Christian either, but I guess she was a better pretender). What courage it took to confront my father with that, knowing he might never see the Renzoni family at HSBC again.
Thankfully, nine months later my dad and mom did accept Jesus as their savior and your wonderful parents diligently discipled them. I have often thought of how hard it must have been for your dad and mom to sit in that smoke-filled living room, with the picture of a voluptuous gypsy woman on the wall, and the language they must have heard! Your parents were never harsh or judgmental, but just kept teaching them from the Word and letting the Holy Spirit do the convicting. Wonderful Pastor Collins already had do much to do, but he and your beautiful mom gave up their Monday nights to teach that Bible Class. I will always be so thankful for their teaching which grounded my dad and mom in the faith, and led to the conversions of so many of my family and loved ones.
I think of his humble, gentle spirit, and the way he patiently taught and guided me. As a teenager, he made me feel so valued, when he listened to what a group of us said about a man acting inappropriately; he investigated and, upon finding it to be true, he boldly confronted the person. He was unwavering in doing what was right. I remember how sad I felt when he announced he was leaving HSBC; and how happy he made me when he agreed to return to do my wedding ceremony.
How fortunate I was to have had a faithful pastor like your father when I first followed Jesus. He was everything our Precious Lord desires a shepherd to be, and set such a fine example of what it means to be a Christian. When I think of the pastors I've sat under, I'm so thankful I had the very best at the beginning of my walk with Jesus. He was a man I truly respected, one who stayed the course, and never disappointed me.
Charlie and I extend our deepest sympathy at your loss, but rejoice with you at heaven's gain.
Fondly,
Linda Flynn</b></font><br><br>
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Tim and Evelyn Reeve posted a condolence
We consider Pastor Collins to be our spiritual father. He took us under his wing and mentored us when we were first believers. He married us and dedicated our first child. We have wonderful memories of him and Vi and will always remember them with great affection. They will always hold a special place in our hearts.</b></font><br><br>
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Jim & Trudy Richmond posted a condolence
Pastor Collins married us in Eastford, CT on may 7, 1955. He was our pastor at Eastford Baptist Church and we dearly loved he and his wife Viola. Our heartfelt love and sympathy to the family.</b></font><br><br>
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Sue Lamb posted a condolence
He was my favorite Pastor. My favorite memory is Pastor & Vi singing "Fill My Cup, Lord". My phone message was always "Love Ya to Pieces! Sue.</b></font><br><br>
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Engineering department posted a condolence
Our deepest sympathies to Mark and his family.</b></font><br><br>
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Jim and Anne Milliard posted a condolence
We offer our prayerful thanks for the long service of this faithful man. Comfort to all the members of his family and Christian brothers and sisters.</b></font><br><br>
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