OLD ORCHARD BEACH — David W. Collins, Jr. 80, husband and best friend of 55 years, died at home on Wednesday, May 24, in Old Orchard Beach with his family by his side.

Son of David and Ruth V Arnold Collins, he was born in Lewiston on August 3, 1936. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1954, and then went to Kents Hill Prep, where he played football, baseball and basketball. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1956 and after four years was honorably discharged as an air controlman second class. He returned to Maine and worked as a bell captain at the Poland Spring Hotel; that summer he met his future wife, Anita. On April 28, 1962, he married the love of his life, Anita Beaulieu, at the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul. In 1968, he opened his own business, Collins Hardware, and moved his family to Auburn, where they lived for 31 years.

He was the co-founder of the Auburn Business Association and a president of the Lewiston-Auburn Jaycees. He was also a very good and avid golfer — three holes-in-one — and a member of Martindale Country Club for 31 years. After closing the hardware store, he went to work for Jay-Kay Sales in Topsham. After 20 years, he was promoted to general manager/president of the company and stayed until 2001 when he retired. In 1989, they bought a cottage in Old Orchard Beach and 10 years ago made it into a year-round home.

Dave leaves his wife, Anita; daughter, Leisa Kubo (Doug) of California; son, James of Portland; three grandchildren, Jacob Downing and Jack and Nomi Kubo; and Jacob’s mother, Jennifer Downing; two sisters, Deena Vachon (Patrick) of Colorado, and Debbie Mongeau (Mike) of Auburn; two very close aunts, Joyce Coyne and Gerry Woodhead; and also many nieces and nephews.

Condolences and a video tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.

David W. Collins