James Collins

Collins, James E., 69, of Armington Street, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2014 at home. Husband of the late Helen M. (Sharp). Born in Stockton, CA, he was the son of the late Ellis Franklin and Oma Irene (Golden) Griffin Smith Collins and stepmother, Ruby Mae (Kerr) Brown Collins. He lived in Cranston since 1978 and had previously lived in Stockton, CA., Hartford, CT., and the Lima, Ohio area.

Jim was a retired RI State Employee who worked as a registered nurse ( mostly in a supervisory role ) at the state medical center in Cranston. He had also served in both the US Navy/Reserve as an enlisted man and then in the US Army Reserve as both an enlisted man and a commissioned officer. He was honorably discharged from the US Army Reserve at the rank of Captain after almost 30 years combined military service. He was active in many things including the RI Coast Guard Auxiliary, Holiday Ramblers Recreational Vehicle Club ( Rhody Ramblers Chapter ), and political campaigns as a volunteer. He was an advocate for higher education. Jim was an avid camper and acted as co-state manager for the Rhody Ramblers for several years with his wife, Helen.

He leaves three sons, James Ellis II of Smithfield, Russell E. of Cranston, and Daniel F. and wife Kerri L. ( Couch ) of Coventry; and a granddaughter Kaylee and grandson Braydan. He also leaves brothers, Franklin Eugene 'Gene' Collins of Hamilton, OH, Gary Brown of Clayton OH, Marion Brown of Sevierville TN, Donald Brown of Cridersville, OH, David Brown of Wapakoneta OH, a half-sister Billie Joe (Griffin) Todd of Spokane, WA, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was half-brother of the late, Jimmy Marietta 'Rita' (Griffin) Stoneking of Lake Worth, Texas.

Calling hours will be held Friday, February 28, 2014 from 9-11 am with a service at 11 am in the Robbins Funeral Home, 2251 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence. Burial with military honors will follow in RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Make-A-Wish Rhode Island 20 Hemingway Drive East Providence, RI 02915.