Collins, James

Description

James Collins

James Collins was born in Glasgow Scotland on Feb 12 1915 he was the son of James and Annabelle McCafferty Collins. He came to the US in 1928 and graduated from Port Chester High School. In Rye his family lived on Grace Church Street and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. James enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

James served as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. He served just under 4 years and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific and Good Conduct medals. (See Discharge Record)

After the war, he joined the Police Department in 1947 and retired in 1973. He became detective in1952 and promoted to sergeant in 1956 and lieutenant on 1962. He was also was the liaison officer between the Police Department end its auxiliary police force.

Police Chief John Grosse said today “Jim Collins was an old fashioned policeman and was very resourceful in getting things done He was one of the finest of the finest”

In the early 1960s Mr Collins received Macy Award from the former Macy Newspaper Chain now Gannett Westchester Newspapers of which The Daily Item is a member.

James was honored after he and another officer rescued a man from a burning building on Grace Church Street. After he retired he started an electrical contracting firm.

A parishioner of Corpus Christi Church in Port Chester he was a member of the Father John M Grady Council of the Knights of Columbus. James was a former treasurer of the-Reliance Engine and Hose Fore Co of Port Chester.

James Collins retired Port Chester police lieutenant died unexpectedly in Anna Marie FL where he was on vacation. A Rye Brook resident be was 68.

At the time of his death, Survivors included his wife Vera Paladino Collins and two daughters Mrs. Brian (Jean) Daly and Mrs. Michael (Mary) Gaj . Also surviving are a sister Mrs William (Jean) Sapione of Rye and three grandchildren