Naples, FL – Francis E. Collins Jr., a respected attorney, dedicated public servant, and deeply active member of the Northampton community, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2026 following a brief illness at the age of 89.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 30, 1937, Frank was the son of Francis Sr. and Ann (Lamb) Collins. He grew up with a passion for learning and leadership, graduating with honors from Boston College High School and Boston College, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in Economics in 1959. During his college years, his vibrant personality and intellect shone brightly; he was the president of the Debating Society, winner of the Gold Medal Debate, a member of the Glee Club Double Quartet, and a Distinguished Military Student. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1962. Following law school, Francis proudly served his country as a Captain in the United States Army at Fort Devens from 1962 to 1964. Upon his honorable discharge, he established a prolific legal career in Western Massachusetts that spanned decades.
Frank held a profound commitment to public service and the rule of law. He served as the Chief District Court Prosecutor for Hampshire and Franklin Counties from 1972 to 1979, the Town Counsel for Middlefield for twenty years, and the City Solicitor for Northampton from 1978 to 1980. He also served for many years on the Board of Trustees for the Williston Northampton School. Later in his career, he expanded his expertise into financial management as the Managing Director of Beacon Investment Advisers, LLC, helping countless individuals with retirement and estate planning. He also shared his wealth of knowledge as a lecturer at the University of Massachusetts and Western New England College Law School.
Beyond his professional achievements, Frank was a true pillar of the Northampton community, lending his time and talents to numerous local organizations. He was an avid baseball fan who managed teams for the Northampton Little League and Farm League. A man of deep faith and a love for music, he sang in the St. Mary’s Church Choir (Northampton, MA), St. Williams Church Choir (Naples, FL), and the Hampshire Choral Society. Frank was also a competitive and highly skilled bridge player, achieving the distinction of Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League and earning the title of Cooley Dickinson Hospital Marathon Bridge League Men’s Champion. His quiet generosity was exemplified by his dedication as a fifteen-gallon blood donor to Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
Later in life, Frank developed a fierce love of the game of golf which he shared with friends in a summer golf league playing courses all over Western Mass and during the winter at Imperial Golf Club in Naples, FL. Right up until the time of his recent illness, he could be seen taking big hacks from the tee box and deft strokes on the practice putting greens. He was proud of his hole-in-one as he was of shooting-his-age.
Francis was completely devoted to his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Gail Giere Collins, a long-time Northampton ballet teacher and Artistic Director of the Pioneer Valley Ballet, his brother Bill Collins and children Aimee Dunn (Greg) of McLean, VA, Ted Collins (Susan) of Darien, CT and Dr. Jeremy Collins (Ally) of Manchester, NH, along with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by sister Joan Cole and brother Donald Collins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on November 14th at 11:30am at Annunciation Chapel – 87 Beacon St., Florence, MA, followed by a reception and lunch at The Log Cabin – 500 Easthampton Rd, Holyoke, MA. Flowers can be sent to the Czelusniak Funeral Home. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Francis’ memory to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Ln, Naples, FL 34105 or at www.avowcares.org.
Please go to Czelusniakfuneralhome.com for online condolences and tribute book.
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