John F. "Jack" Collins, III

TOWNSEND: John F. “Jack” Collins, 85, of Townsend, died Monday, April 13, 2026 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Nashua, NH. Jack was born in Fitchburg, July 27, 1940, the eldest of three sons born to John F. Collins, Jr. and Mary L. (Burns) Schriver and grew up in Ashby. Jack was a 1958 graduate of Ashby High School. Following his graduation from high school, Jack enlisted in the United States Air Force where he proudly served with the 41 30th Heavy Bomb Wing at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. He was assigned to a B- 52 ground crew and, after reaching the position of Assistant Crew Chief, he flew many missions with the Strategic Air Command. While stationed with the Air Force in Texas, Jack rode bulls and competed as an amateur rodeo rider. Following his honorable discharge from the armed forces, Jack worked briefly for the Independent Lock Company in Fitchburg before accepting a position with New England Telephone, where he remained for 33 years, retiring in 1995. In 1980 Jack returned to school where he received an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Mt. Wachusett Community College, Gardner. For nearly twenty-five years Jack faithfully served on the fire departments of his communities, beginning in Ashby as a member of the fire department there for three years. In 1968 he joined the Townsend Fire Department where he served nineteen years before retiring in 1987 at the rank of Assistant Chief. In 2003 Jack was appointed to be Chief of Department for the Townsend Fire Department, a position he held until 2005. He was a member of the American Legion Post and for 19 years was a member of its Firing Squad. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing at his home at Lake Winnipesaukee. Jack held a professional racing license and enjoyed drag racing at the Epping Raceway in Epping, NH. Jack leaves his wife of 61 years, Carole M. (Sexton) Collins; two daughters, Jennifer K. Creighton, and her husband, Duane, of Townsend, Jodi L. Collins and her wife, Elizabeth Lindsey of Boylston; his granddaughter, Olivia Creighton and her fiancée, Daigan Robichaud of Rindge, NH; two brothers and sisters in law, Peter K. and Kathryn Collins of Greenville, SC, Dennis and Melinda Collins of Fitchburg; two brothers in law, James P. Sexton and his wife, Blair, of Wilmington, NC, Thomas G. Sexton of Nags Head, NC; his sister in law Patricia Drummond of Taylors, SC; four nephews and five nieces. Jack’s family will receive relatives and friends at calling hours from 2- 5 PM Sunday, April 19, 2026 at the Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main Street (Rte 119) Townsend Center. Jack’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Monday, April 20, 2026 at St. John’s Church, 1 School Street, Townsend. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Townsend.

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John F. "Jack" Collins, III

July 27, 1940 - April 13, 2026