Obituary of Raymond C. Collins

Raymond C. Collins, 84, of Freehold died Thursday, October 12, 2006 at home. Mr. Collins was born in Freehold and was a lifelong resident. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart Award for wounds received at the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Collins was superintendent of buildings and grounds for the County of Monmouth before his retirement. He was also employed at the former A. & M. Karagheusian Rug Mill, Freehold and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Freehold; an ex-captain of Richardson Engine Company No. 2 of the Freehold Fire Department where he served as a member from 1953 to 1968; a member of the Freehold Exempt Firemen’s Association; and a former member of the Fur, Fin and Feather Club, Freehold Township. His wife, Sarah I. Collins, died in 2005. Surviving are two sons, Gary R. Collins and his wife, Kathleen, Barnegat and Kenneth G. Collins and his wife, Judy, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren, Kenneth S., Shannon, Diane, Gary C., and Jason Collins and Nicky, Thomas, and Jennifer Manfredi; and six great grandchildren. Visiting will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Monday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. followed by interment at Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold. Freehold Fire Department services will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 7:15 P.M.