Thomas Charles Collins

Thomas Charles Collins, 70, of Sagamore, Cape Cod, formerly of Walpole and Brookline, passed away surrounded by his loving family on July 23, 2024 after the most valiant of fights with glioblastoma.

Born January 16, 1954, the son of John and Margaret (O’Halloran) Collins, he grew up in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He played hockey and golf at Brookline High School before graduating in 1972. He received his degree from Franklin Institute of Boston in 1975, studying automotive science. 

Tom was an ardent proponent of Public Works, devoting his career to the advancement of the field. He was dedicated to promoting Public Works as a “First Responder”…it was his firm belief that Public Works is “the silent arm of public safety” and worked tirelessly to spread awareness of the often overlooked positive impact of Public Works on our daily lives. 

He began his career with the Town of Brookline Public Works Department, serving as Motor Equipment Working Foreman from 1976 to 1985. He then took a position as Equipment Maintenance Division Supervisor with the Town of Natick Department of Public Works, a position he proudly fulfilled from 1985 until his retirement in 2016, and during which he was responsible for a fleet of 485 vehicles and pieces of equipment. He also earned his place as Deputy Director of Public Works for the Town of Natick, serving as such from 1994 until his retirement. Additionally, he was named Interim Director of Public Works for Natick on two separate occasions between 2013 and 2015. He was a dedicated Public Works professional, coordinating emergency operations for events including snowstorms, natural disasters, and other emergencies. 

A steady presence for all who knew him, Tom was a leader in every sense of the word. He gave his all to his role in the advancement of Public Works. He served in various organizations and associations working toward this goal. He was a member of the American Public Works Association (APWA) from 1986 until the present, serving on many of the association’s committees over the years and serving as New England Chapter President in 2010, during which time he organized an international public works educational exposition for over 9,500 attendees for the 2010 Public Works Week APWA International Congress in Boston. He was a member of the Norfolk-Bristol-Middlesex Highway Association (NBM) since 1992, serving as President from 2007 to 2009. He also brought his talents to the Association of Fleet Maintenance Supervisors (AFMS) as a member from 1985 to present, serving as President from 1994 to 1996. He also served on the Board of Directors for each association. Tom was also a longtime member of the Massachusetts Highway Association, joining in 1994.

During his long career, Tom developed and conducted Mechanics’ Workshops- informational and educational workshops for public fleet mechanics on both local and national scales. He also served 6 years on an international fleet committee working with public works professionals worldwide.

Over the course of his esteemed career, he was the recipient of several awards recognizing him for his dedication to the field of Public Works. In 2011, Tom was selected as the recipient of the Donald C. Stone Award for Excellence in Education by APWA. In 2012, he was named Public Works Leadership Fellow by APWA. Then in 2015, he was selected as one of APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Officials of the Year. 

 After his retirement in 2016, he took positions with the Greater Boston Police Council as well as the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, acting as Vehicle Specialist for both. He also started a successful business, MTC Ops, LLC, offering Public Works fleet and facility consulting. He also continued to play an active role in several county highway associations throughout Massachusetts. He also continued to snowplow for his faithful clients, a pastime he enjoyed since he was a teenager. 

Even while faithfully serving the Public Works community for decades, the center of Tom’s world was his family. The countless gatherings at “1531” were a frequent highlight for everyone. From the Mai Tais around the fire pit, deep frying a turkey, putting the Christmas Soldier up in front of 1531 every Thanksgiving with his whole family, lighting off Chinese lanterns, late night Shrek marathons, Sunday morning bagel runs with his grandkids (who he called GB1 through GB5,) nothing brought him more joy than time with his family. He was the biggest personality we knew, always ready with a joke to crack us all up. He was an avid lifelong golfer, always enjoying his many tournaments with friends, and loved going to the driving range to teach his grandkids the perfect golf swing. Fishing was another of his passions, whether deep sea fishing trying for that prize tuna, or casting his line off one of the Cape jetties, fishing was always something that brought him happiness and peace. His favorite spot on this Earth was the Cape Cod Canal, and his lifelong dream was to live along its shores. He finally found his dream home with Barbara at the end of last year, with the canal running directly through his backyard. He loved watching the ships go by each day, tracking their routes as they passed. 

His silent, eyes closed, head thrown back, deep laugh will be deeply missed. His morning phone calls to each of his kids were a highlight every day. His wisdom was a mainstay for his family, his advice always eagerly sought out. He never complained, even on his toughest days. He was a firm believer in “Don’t stress about the things you cannot change. Only worry about the things you can.” His family finds such solace in the countless memories of the strong, wise, funny, capable, irreplaceable man Tom was. 

Tom leaves behind his wife of 47 years, “his bride”, Barbara (Kenney) Collins, whom he met when he was 14 and she was 12; his three cherished children, daughter Kelly and her husband Keith Chute (“Yogi”) of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, daughter Kristin and her husband Mike Corey of Pelham, New Hampshire, and son Tom and his wife Caroline of South Berwick, Maine. His absolute pride were his treasured grandchildren, to whom he was known as “Chief”: KJ Chute, Keagan and Dominic Corey, and Kai and Elynn Collins. He also leaves his beloved brother, Jack and his wife Linda of Burlington, Massachusetts, and his dear sister-in-law Mary of West Roxbury, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Bob Collins. He also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews, and so very many faithful friends who he loved and appreciated to the end. Lastly, his yellow lab Dozer, who Tom affectionately referred to as “his wife’s dog,” will miss laying beneath his chair and making Tom laugh by howling at the fire engine sirens.

Tom, Dad, Chief, Chiefy, Tommy…he was known by many names to many people. He had an impact on more lives than he knew and his passing leaves a void unable to be filled. He was and is so deeply loved. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Tom's Life Celebration on Monday, July 29th, 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024, at 11:00 am in the Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Tom's name may be made to The NBM Highway Scholarship Fund at 130 Center Street, North Easton, MA 02356. If you choose to send flowers, please avoid sending arrangements containing lilies.