Charles W. Collins

Charles W. Collins, 92, of Harvey's Lake passed away March 23rd at his home with his only daughter, Charlene and his loving caregivers at his side.

Born March 11, 1922 in Nanticoke he was a son of the late Charles A. and Elizabeth Gallagher Collins and was raised in the East End section of Wilkes-Barre.

After graduating from Coughlin High School in 1940 he joined the Navy where he served as an Aviation Ordnanceman First Class aboard the USS Chandeleur and USS Kearsarge in the South Pacific during World War II. As a gunner in Patrol Bombing Squadron Twenty-one (VFB-21) he received many awards and citations for his crew’s relentless attacks on enemy vessels and aircraft.

After his honorable discharge in 1947 he was employed by the United States Postal Service from which he retired in 1982. Many people in Forty Fort, Swoyersville, Edwardsville and Kingston will remember his smiling face while delivering their mail.

Loving the outdoors, he enjoyed gardening, walking, swimming, travelling overseas, bowling, shuffleboard and his winter home in Florida.

After raising their daughter in Forty Fort, Charles and his wife, Gloria, moved to the house he built at Harvey’s Lake where he resided for the remainder of his life. He was an usher at the Church of Our Lady of Victory for more than thirty years, and was a member of the American Legion Post 967, Harvey’s Lake and VFW Post 283, Kingston.

His wife, Gloria Dally Collins died December 13, 2010. Sisters, Catherine Leonard, Betty Mulhern, Alice Collins, Ann Clarke and Elaine Lehman, a nephew, Bobby Collins, and great-grandson, Jonathan Prandy also preceded him in death.

He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Charlene and her husband Bob Prandy of Maryland; grandsons, Eric and his wife Anna Prandy of Maryland and Keith and his wife Natasha Prandy of Georgia; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Nicholas, Abby and Zoe Prandy; sister, Joan Eagen of New York; brother, Bob Collins of New Jersey; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

The entire family thanks his Griswold caregivers who gave such loving care to him and his wife in their final years. Special thanks to Toni Kaufman who became his second ‘daughter’; Karen for her calming personality; Donna, Kassandra and Carmelita, his VA nurse, Beth and his Erwine Hospice caregivers who saw that his life passed lovingly and peacefully.

Celebration of Charles’ Life will begin Monday at 10 AM with visitation in the Church of Our Lady of Victory at Harvey’s Lake. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by his nephew, Father Kevin Mulhern at 11 AM. Private interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Hanover Township.

Memorial donations are preferred and may be made to American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Foundation, or the charity of your preference.

McLaughlin’s – The Family Funeral Service is assisting Charles’ family with arrangements.

Permanent messages and memories can be shared with Charles’ family at www.celebratehislife.com