1950 – 2014

OXFORD — Timothy Collins, retired lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, 63, of Oxford, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, Jan. 5.

He was born in Lewiston on June 28, 1950, the son of John and Lola Frost Collins. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 until his retirement in 1991. He became a commissioned officer in 1981. He received two Navy Commendation Medals; Navy Achievement Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal, with three bronze campaign stars; Meritorious Unit Citation; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and several other awards.

He received his bachelor’s degree and was the nutrition director for SAD 17, then became a teacher at Telstar Middle School from 1999 to 2012. He was a life member of the VFW Post 9787 in South Paris and of the Disabled American Veterans in Lewiston.

Timothy was a World War II and Civil War historian. He liked to fish at Moosehead Lake, with his brothers. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends; he was very funny and had a great sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Dow Collins, whom he married on Dec. 11, 1971; son, Sean, of Portland; daughter, Jennifer Beaudoin, of South Paris; son-in-law, Derryl, of South Dakota; granddaughter, Gabrielle, his southern belle; grandson, Cooper, the infamous Coop; brothers, Jack and Kate of Bangor, Mike and Libby of Greenville and Matthew and Frederika of Lewiston; sister, Martha of Bath; sister-in-law, Donna Collins of Berwick; lifelong best friends, David and Nancy Greene of Gray; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Thomas J. Collins.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.